Shimron Hetmyer ton, Sheldon Cottrell fifer helps West Indies to win against England

Shimron Hetmyer had impressed the cricketing world with his Calypso flair during the series against India and Bangladesh at the end of 2018. In the first two ODIs against India, he started off with a century in Guwahati and also smashed a fifty in Vizag. His big-hitting skills and his ability to tackle the spinners ushered the birth of a new Caribbean star with many pointing out that his playing style was similar to Brian Lara. In the second ODI at Barbados against England, Hetmyer enhanced his credentials with yet another century as West Indies stunned England in a dramatic clash in Barbados on Friday to win by 26 runs and level the five-match series 1-1.

Hetmyer’s magnificent hundred included seven fours and four sixes and it was built upon yet another great start provided by Gayle, who hit 50 off 63 balls and it included one four and four sixes. The young left-hander’s knock helped West Indies reach 289/6. In response, England started badly after being reduced to 60/3 but a 99-run stand between Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes got England back in the game. Morgan fell for 70 but Stokes shared a partnership of 69 with Moeen Ali as the visitors stayed in contention.

However, Jason Holder got West Indies back in the game by getting rid of Stokes for 79 and Tom Curran off successive deliveries. The match tilted in West Indies’ favour and Sheldon Cottrell, the cricketer who served the Jamaican army, finished with figures of 5/46 as England lost five wickets for 35 runs to lose by 26 runs.

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“You need options in this day and age and Cottrell gave us that extra bit of variation with the ball. I love his energy. His is one for the future. It's really good to see so many of these players stepping up. You need options in this day and age and Cottrell gave us that extra bit of variation with the ball. I love his energy. His is one for the future. It's really good to see so many of these players stepping up,” Holder said after the victory.

West Indies will now take on England in the third ODI in Grenada on February 25.

HIGHLIGHTS

• West Indies lost the first match by six wickets.
• Shimron Hetmyer has four centuries at the age of 22.
• Sheldon Cottrell took his maiden five-wicket haul.