England cruise to West Indies win as Sam Curran and Jos Buttler rediscover form

06 December 2023 , 23:18

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Jos Buttler hit an unbeaten half century as England levelled the series with West Indies

Sam Curran may have taken comfort in the prospect that as bad as things seemed last Sunday the likelihood of them getting worse was probably slim.

But just three days after posting the worst ODI figures in England’s history, even the left-arm seamer will have been pleasantly surprised to be the pick of Jos Buttler’s bowlers as the tourists levelled the series.

Curran’s 3-30, removing three of West Indies top five and helping to reduce the hosts to 23-4 before they rallied to 202 all out, proved to be the platform for an England win by six wickets with 17.1 overs to spare.

Where on Sunday Curran was well off with his line and length the left armer was on the money here, getting seam and swing and producing a beauty to graze the edge of Brandon King’s bat with the ball of the day.

Despite the best efforts of Shai Hope and Shermane Rutherford to build a respectable total, Liam Livingstone and Rehan Ahmed with five wickets between them ensured the total remained around 70 short of challenging total.

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England lost four wickets in reply but were never flustered, Buttler and Harry Brook bringing home the victory at a stroll.

For Curran this was the perfect response to critics suggesting his days in the white ball set up may be numbered and timely reminder that on his day he remains a match-winner.

But victory brought with it much needed relief for under-fire captain Buttler and coach Matthew Mott given mounting pressure following Sunday and a dismal World Cup.

Sam Curran bounced back to take 3-30 in Antigua

West Indies always looked short, the early Curran-induced collapse taking away the six-hitting option from the middle order leaving them to clear the ropes just twice compared to the 14 times the ball sailed into the crowd on Sunday.

Phil Salt and Will Jacks ensured England quickly got above the required run rate early, something Buttler will have been grateful for when the former and then Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were skittled out to leave 85-3.

It allowed Harry Brook and Buttler to take their time, the pair building steadily towards victory.

If Brook had already shown his form on Sunday Buttler’s innings of an unbeaten 58 was a welcome return to nick after 13 innings without a half century. After earlier successfully overturning two on field not out decisions, his winning knock showed his eye was back in.

All eyes go to Barbados on Saturday for the decider and with momentum on their side England must be favourites for the win.

Gideon Brooks