West Indies vs England: first men's one-day international – live | England vs West Indies 2024

6th over: England 22-0 (Salt 9, Jacks 11) Seales goes back and throws cross-seat. The lone slip has now escaped. Another good over from Seales that gave each batter just a single. Mark Butcher reveals that the team batting first has scored 261 (on average) in the last five ODIs at this ground and that has never been enough. Can England break out of this pattern?

5th over: England 20-0 (Salt 8, Jacks 10) Most of the runs came from Forde, but Hope still believes in him. He responds with a tighter over and almost deceives Jacks with a slower ball, leading him into a curved drive that lands just down middle.

If this were Test cricket, England would have 40 by now.

4th over: England 19-0 (Salt 8, Jacks 9) Seales carries on and Salt again grabs two balls to mid-wicket, but he can't get to the other five balls.

“As a Warwickshire supporter,” says Phil Russell, “it's great to see Bethell and Mousley in the team and hopefully Sam Hain will soon get more recognition too.” Overall, the line-up is more reminiscent of the days of another Bears all-rounder, Dermot Reeve. Quite a few small players for a 50-over game. I'm a little worried that the power of the punch will decrease and won't go the distance.” That would be very on-brand.

3rd over: England 17-0 (Salt 6, Jacks 9) Forde strays onto the pads, allowing Jacks to grab a cheap four. This gets Jacks going, and when Forde misses, he launches a heavy cover attack that is hit from above. The trumpeter celebrates with a Go West sound from the Village People – or, if you prefer, the Pet Shop Boys.

2nd over: England 8-0 (Salt 6, Jacks 1) The other end is also knighted: the Sir Andy Roberts End. Jayden Seales opened the bowling there and kept Will Jacks quiet by restricting him to a leg look. Salt adds a clip for two.

“Good evening, Tim,” says Guy Hornsby, “there’s cricket going on! This is a real eleven for England. It feels very much like a T20 team has to play 50 overs, although I suspect many players don't really play that format anymore. I admit that Overton confuses me as a non-bowling all-rounder (I know he's injured). It was unconventional in the T20 years, but here it feels luxurious, even through the Bazball lens.

“I know a few batters are at home wondering what they need to do. Penny for Sam Hain's excellent thoughts… But come on, England/Cricket/West Indies!”

Sam Hain may have something else on his mind tonight. Thanks to Steven Lynch at Wisden for the tip.

1st over: England 5-0 (Salt 4, Jacks 0) On a pitch like a cookie, Forde gets off to a clean start, bar one missed shot. Phil Salt eagerly plays in for two balls and then hits the third through the roof for four. “There’s some pretty long grass out there,” says Mark Butcher. “Could take the air route.”

Matthew Forde has the new ball and is ready to penetrate from Sir Curtly Ambrose. Endings, like stands and even stadiums, sound better without the knighthood, right?

The teams line up, accompanied by some slightly confused school children. West Indies are maroon with yellow trim, England is sky blue with dark blue trousers. The hymns sound, each a little more lively than the next. If it had been a singing competition, the West Indies would have won.

Teams complete

Four debutants for England

Toss: West Indies win and bowl

preamble