England and West Indies are set to face off in the 1st ODI of England’s tour of the West Indies on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. With both teams eyeing a strong start, this series opener promises an exciting clash between England’s powerful lineup and West Indies’ dynamic players.
Match Details
- Match: WI vs ENG, 1st ODI, England tour of West Indies, 2024
- Date: Thursday, October 31, 2024
- Time: 11:30 PM IST
- Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
Team Previews
West Indies Preview
West Indies, led by Shai Hope, will be aiming to make a statement in front of their home crowd. The team features a mix of experience and youthful flair, with the likes of Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sherfane Rutherford in the batting lineup. Shai Hope, as both captain and wicketkeeper, will play a key role in stabilizing the middle order.
The bowling department includes the reliable Alzarri Joseph and the spin of Gudakesh Motie, who will be crucial in containing England’s powerful hitters. The pace attack, complemented by Romario Shepherd and Jayden Seales, will be key to West Indies’ strategy.
Key Players:
- Shai Hope
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Alzarri Joseph
Predicted Playing XI:
Shai Hope (c & wk), Keacy Carty, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Jewel Andrew, Hayden Walsh, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde
England Preview
England’s squad brings a mix of established stars and emerging talent, led by Liam Livingstone. Known for their aggressive brand of cricket, England’s lineup features hard-hitters like Philip Salt, Will Jacks, and Sam Curran, who can be game-changers on their day. The experience of Adil Rashid’s spin and Jofra Archer’s pace will be crucial, particularly on West Indies’ pitches.
Bowling options like Reece Topley and Saqib Mahmood provide England with both pace and control, while Jamie Overton adds versatility as an all-rounder. England enters this series as favorites, backed by their recent form and depth.
Key Players:
- Liam Livingstone
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
Predicted Playing XI:
Liam Livingstone (c), Michael-Kyle Pepper (wk), Philip Salt, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Dan Mousley, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Rehan Ahmed, Reece Topley, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, John Turner
Pitch and Weather Report
Pitch Report
The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium pitch in Antigua typically offers good pace and bounce, making it a suitable surface for both batters and seamers. Batters who settle in will be able to score freely, especially as the pitch is expected to offer a consistent bounce. The average first-innings score here has been around 270-280, so a total in excess of 300 would be very competitive.
Weather Conditions
The weather forecast for Antigua on October 31 predicts mostly sunny skies with minimal chances of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted game. The temperature is expected to be around 28°C, with a gentle breeze, which could provide slight assistance to seamers early on.
Toss Prediction
Teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first, allowing them to gauge the conditions and have a target in mind for their batting.
Match Prediction and Winning Chances
Historically, England has had the upper hand against the West Indies in ODIs, winning 53 out of 105 encounters. Given their depth in both batting and bowling, England comes in with a 78% winning probability, while West Indies, playing at home, stands at 22%.
Final Prediction: Back England as the winners of this 1st ODI in the series.
Score Prediction:
- If England Bats First: 312+
- If West Indies Bats First: 245+
Disclaimer: Predictions are for entertainment purposes only. We don’t get involved in or promote betting or gambling. Also, We strongly discourage behaviors of participating in illegal activities related to cricket. Our experts try to be as correct as possible, but we do not guarantee 100% correctness.