England vs West Indies: Anticipation Builds for Third ODI Clash
Match Overview
The third ODI between England and the West Indies is set to take place at the Kennington Oval in London on June 3, 2025, starting at 05:30 PM IST.
England's Recent Performance
In the second ODI, England triumphed over the West Indies by 3 wickets, thereby clinching the series. Chasing a target of 309 runs, England faced early setbacks with both openers dismissed for zero. However, Joe Root's remarkable innings of 166 not out, supported by Will Jacks (49) and Harry Brook (47), led the team to victory. On the bowling side, Saqib Mahmood and Adil Rashid were instrumental, taking three and four wickets respectively.
West Indies' Struggles
Despite scoring over 300 runs in the second ODI, the West Indies fell short due to their bowling performance. Brandon King and Shai Hope contributed with half-centuries, while Keacy Carty notched his fourth ODI century. With only one match remaining, the West Indies aim to secure a win to end the series on a high note before transitioning to the T20I format.
Pitch Analysis
The pitch at Sophia Gardens is expected to favor batsmen, potentially leading to a high-scoring encounter. The surface generally remains smooth, providing minimal assistance to bowlers, particularly in the second innings. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat second, as the average first innings score at this venue is 291.
Head-to-Head Record
The historical record between England and the West Indies in ODIs shows that they have faced each other 110 times, with England winning 56 matches, while the West Indies have claimed victory in 48. There have been 6 matches with no result.
| ENG vs WI head-to-head | |
| Matches Played | 110 |
| Won by England | 56 |
| Won by West Indies | 48 |
| No Result | 6 |
| Tied | 0 |
Probable Lineups
England: Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid.
West Indies: Brandon King, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Jewel Andrew, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales.
Key Players to Watch
Top Wicketkeeper Choices
- Jos Buttler | ENG: The experienced wicketkeeper-batter has played 189 ODIs, scoring 5233 runs, including 11 centuries. His inclusion is vital for any fantasy team.
- Shai Hope | WI: The West Indies captain has been in excellent form, with 5674 runs in 139 ODIs, including 17 centuries. He scored 78 runs in the previous match and will be crucial in the final game.
Top Batters to Consider
- Harry Brook | ENG: The England white-ball captain has shown impressive form, scoring 58 and 47 runs in the first two ODIs. He is a must-pick for this match.
- Keacy Carty | WI: Carty has been a standout performer, recently scoring his fourth ODI century. With 1409 runs in 37 ODIs, he is a valuable addition to any fantasy lineup.
Top All-Rounders to Include
- Joe Root | ENG: As a senior player, Root has amassed 7082 runs in 179 ODIs. His recent unbeaten 166-run performance was pivotal for England.
- Justin Greaves | WI: Greaves has scored 269 runs and taken 4 wickets in his ODI career. He aims to make a significant impact in this match.
Top Bowlers to Select
- Saqib Mahmood | ENG: Mahmood has been England's leading bowler, taking 23 wickets in 15 matches. His recent performances make him a key player for this match.
- Alzarri Joseph | WI: Joseph has been a consistent wicket-taker, with 134 wickets in 81 ODIs. His performance in the last match was impressive, making him a strong candidate for fantasy teams.