England Return with Series-Levelling Victory in Antigua

England bounced back from their initial ODI defeat with a determined five-wicket victory over the West Indies in Antigua, levelling the series. West Indies captain Shai Hope's impressive 117, supported by half-centuries from Keacy Carty and Sherfane Rutherford, set a formidable target of 328/6. However, England’s captain Liam Livingstone delivered an unbeaten 124 off just 85 balls, featuring five fours and nine sixes, steering England to victory with 15 balls remaining.

England's chase started shakily as they lost Will Jacks and Jordan Cox within the first 12 overs, leaving them at 63/2. Phil Salt played aggressively, reaching his fifty in 42 balls before being dismissed on 59 by Forde. Jacob Bethell then partnered with Livingstone, adding stability to the innings with a composed half-century off 51 balls. Bethell's aggressive play, including boundaries off Roston Chase, ended when he misjudged a lofted shot and was caught.

Sam Curran joined Livingstone and kept up the momentum with a quick start, striking a six and a four off Gudakesh Motie. West Indies managed to tighten their grip during overs 30-40, allowing just two boundaries, leaving England needing 100 runs from the final 10 overs. Livingstone, who was at 46 off 57 balls at the 40-over mark, unleashed his powerful hitting to race to 99 off 76 balls by the 45th over. Motie and Jayden Seales were at the receiving end of Livingstone’s fierce attack, which included multiple sixes and fours.

Curran, who also reached his half-century, built a crucial 140-run partnership with Livingstone. The captain reached his maiden ODI century in 77 balls. Although Curran was dismissed by Forde for his third wicket, Livingstone ensured there was no room for a West Indies comeback, smashing three sixes and a four in the 47th over off Joseph. A few singles in the next over sealed the win, completing England's successful chase – the second-highest in the Caribbean.

Earlier in the day, England opted to bowl and made an early impact, with John Turner removing Brandon King and Evin Lewis, reducing West Indies to 12/2. Hope and Carty stabilised the innings with a composed 143-run partnership, moving past 150 by the 30th over. Carty fell to Adil Rashid for 71, but Rutherford’s aggressive 35-ball fifty powered the scoreboard during his 79-run stand with Hope. Despite being dismissed by Livingstone in the 40th over, the lower-order contributions from Hetmyer, Chase, and Forde bolstered the innings as Hope registered his 17th ODI century before being dismissed by Archer. The hosts scored 93 runs in the last 10 overs, but it wasn’t enough to defend against England's response.

Brief Scores: West Indies 328/6 in 50 overs (Shai Hope 117, Keacy Carty 71; Adil Rashid 2-62) lost to England 329/5 in 47.3 overs (Liam Livingstone 124*, Phil Salt 59; Matthew Forde 3-48) by 5 wickets.