In an exciting display of batting prowess, West Indies managed to secure a decisive eight-wicket victory against England at Kensington Oval, successfully chasing down a target of 264 runs. This victory allowed West Indies to clinch the ODI series with a 2-1 margin. The standout performances came from Keacy Carty, who scored an impressive 128 runs not out, and Brandon King, who contributed a solid 102 runs. These centuries not only marked personal milestones for the players but also highlighted an extraordinary partnership that propelled their team to triumph.
Carty's innings was noteworthy, as it marked his first-ever century in One Day Internationals (ODIs). This achievement made him the first cricketer from St Maarten to reach this significant landmark in West Indies cricket. King also made headlines with his century, taking full advantage of two dropped catches, which allowed him to establish a rhythm after a lengthy hiatus from significant scores since the World Cup Qualifier in July 2023. The two cricketers partnered with an outstanding stand of 209 runs, which is now the highest ever recorded for West Indies against England in ODI cricket.
On the other hand, England faced a challenging start, collapsing to a troubling score of 24 runs for the loss of four wickets at the end of the first powerplay. Phil Salt played a resilient knock to salvage the innings, marking his longest international innings in terms of balls faced. Alongside him, Dan Mousley showcased his creativity, achieving a maiden ODI fifty. Despite losing Romario Shepherd to injury, which necessitated Shai Hope to bring in Sherfane Rutherford, who struggled in his over, England managed to post a total that was at least competitive.
West Indies began their run chase swiftly, with King showing aggressive intent immediately by punishing Jofra Archer’s deliveries. His powerful strokes included two boundaries off the first two balls, which set the tone for the innings. Although Evin Lewis was dismissed for 19 runs, by then West Indies had found their footing. After the first powerplay, they stood at a commendable score of 65 runs for one wicket, well ahead of the required run rate.
King continued to flourish, easily navigating the initial overs from England’s bowling attack. Carty, though initially testing the waters against the leg-spin of Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone, soon found his rhythm. The duo's partnership proved pivotal in reducing the required run rate effectively. Despite some promising overs from Rashid, which only conceded seven runs, King eventually broke the shackles by blasting a six down the ground, revealing a shift in momentum.
Carty faced an early scare after being adjudged lbw but successfully reviewed the decision, confirming his bat made contact with the ball. Following this, he found boundaries consistently, including back-to-back fours off Livingstone and Sam Curran. Carty's aggressive approach included a spectacular six off Topley that landed among the spectators, further solidifying his dominance as he surpassed his previous ODI best of 88 runs. His century was celebrated at Kensington Oval with a passionate audience, as he raised both his hands in acknowledgment.
King also reached his milestone shortly after Carty, marking his third ODI century with a powerful shot through fine leg. Although he fell shortly thereafter, needing just 13 runs for victory, the match had already been decided in favor of the West Indies. The decisiveness of their approach underscored the assessments made by both captains regarding batting conditions, as Shai Hope expressed uncertainty about how the surface would play.
The early stages of England's batting were marred by a brief yet intense disagreement on the field involving bowler Alzarri Joseph and captain Shai Hope regarding field placements. This distraction, however, did not hinder West Indies' bowling attack. Joseph established early discomfort for England’s batter, delivering a pacey delivery that flicked the glove of Will Jacks, leading to a catch behind. Shepherd also capitalized on his pace, leading to critical breakthroughs. By the conclusion of the powerplay, England found themselves in dire straits, at 24 runs for four wickets.
Despite the adversity, Salt helped stabilize the innings while forming vital partnerships with Sam Curran and Mousley that collectively added 70 runs for the fifth and sixth wickets, respectively. Salt completed his innings with a resilient 79 runs, which was commendable given the early wickets that fell. However, following his departure, the middle order faltered to another collapse before some late contributions from Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer elevated the score, ultimately leaving West Indies with a manageable target.
Overall, West Indies’ successful chase illustrated not only their batting depth but also their ability to respond effectively to pressure situations. With their bowlers establishing early dominance, and both Carty and King showcasing their batting talents, the match underscored why West Indies cricket remains a formidable force in the One Day format.