ENG v WI, 4th ODI Review: D/L Method comes to England's rescue as they snatch an unlikely win

What can be more disappointing than fate turning its back on you when you play a knock of a lifetime. The world feels bad for Evin Lewis, who showed glimpses of a 25-year-old Chris Gayle with his mind-boggling innings, but D/L method spoiled the Caribbean party. England won the 4th ODI in the unlikeliest of ways and Moeen Ali was at the helm of things once again, providing the killer blow before the rain came in.

Batting first, Chris Gayle walked back in the very first over thanks to a brilliant piece of bowling from Chris Woakes. Shai Hope and Marlon Samuels didn’t last for a long time at the crease, which resulted in a catastrophic top-order downfall inside 7 overs. West Indies were in all sorts of trouble as they were reduced to 33/3, but Lewis was playing on another pitch.

A splendid anchoring innings from Jason Mohammad helped Lewis express his heart out and the 25-year-old showed no respite. His strike-rate initially was around 85-95, which might be very high for others, but in Lewis’ standards, that’s just a cautionary approach. He reached his fifty and Windies went past the 100-run mark.

Just when the southpaw’s flight was taking off, Jason Mohammad lost his cool and the 117-run partnership was put to bed. Lewis’ flight took off nevertheless as Jason Holder continued his good form with the bat. What followed next was an absolute masterclass of power hitting and it was quintessentially Caribbean.

It was all Lewis for some time as he completed his hundred firstly. The final 15 overs of the innings was a disaster for the English, who were getting a taste of their own medicine. Lewis dealt only in boundaries and in the 43rd over bowled by Moeen Ali, he registered 3 sixes and 1 four to get to his 150. Both Holder and Lewis were in a six-hitting competition and the hosts were left cold and dry.

Unfortunately for Lewis, an unexpected hairline fracture on the ankle saw his innings cut short at 176 as he walked back retired hurt. He took 130 deliveries to get to that mark and spanked 17 fours and 7 sixes. Holder completed his half-century later and with Rovman Powell’s effort, in the end, Windies finished at 356 for the loss of five wickets.

Roy and Ali rescue the three lions

With Jonny Bairstow playing the second fiddle, Jason Roy absolutely bludgeoned the Windies bowlers as the duo gave a solid start to the hosts in this massive run chase. The duo added a breathtaking 126-run stand inside 17 overs as Jason Roy completed a wonderful half-century on a comeback. Roy was in place of Alex Hales for this game, who is currently being interrogated regarding the Ben Stokes fiasco.

Just when the Windies shoulders were beginning to drop, a wicket against the run of play changed the whole course of the game. Alzarri Joseph removed the dangerous Jason Roy after he had scored 84 off 66 balls and a middle-order collapse followed. Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, and Sam Billings, all fell to Joseph in an attempt to up the ante and their side was reduced to 181/5.

Joseph registered a brilliant five-fer in the process and things were looking in favor of Windies. And then came Moeen Ali to the crease, who picked up exactly where he left in the third ODI. He spanked a 25-ball 48 which included 6 fours and 2 sixes. Jos Buttler scored a quick fire 43 as well, which propelled them to 258/5 in 35.1 overs and then came the rain gods, who wanted vengeance from the Windies for an unknown crime.

The play never resumed and England, who were 6 runs ahead of the D/L Par score were adjudged the winners. Windies players were left in shambles and the heartbroken, distraught faces said the story. The only consolation for the visitors was Lewis winning the player of the match award and much to the concern of the Windies fans, his injury didn’t let him come out to collect the award himself.

Brief Scores

Windies: 356/5 in 50 overs (Evin Lewis 176, Jason Holder 77; Chris Woakes 3/71)

England: 258/5 in 35.1 overs (Jason Roy 84, Moeen Ali 48*; Alzarri Joseph 5/56)