Jofra Archer to Shai Hope, FIVE WIDES! That beats everyone! Jofra Archer bangs this into the pitch, but way outside off, it keeps on rising and shapes away too. Shai Hope leaves it alone. Jos Buttler, the keeper, moves to his right but has no chance of stopping that. Jamie Overton at first slip, gets fingertips on it above his head but the ball still goes through to the fence behind for a boundary.
Jofra Archer to Shai Hope, Goes a bit fuller and on off, angling in, Shai Hope stays back and stabs it to the left of the bowler.
Jofra Archer to Brandon King, First runs off the bat! Short of a length and well outside off, Brandon King throws his bat at it. Gets it from the toe-end as the ball rolls towards deep third for a single.
Jofra Archer to Brandon King, Much better! This is on a good length and on middle and off, Brandon King gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.
Jofra Archer to Brandon King, WIDE! Jofra Archer will have to reload it. He steams in from over the wicket, starts with a good-length delivery, but just angling down the leg side. Brandon King fails to tuck it away. Called a wide.
Always a matter of pride to sing/chant the national anthem on such occasions, in front of thousands of spectators. The two umpires make their way out to the middle. The Wankhede, as usual, is buzzing with a packed house. They just love the cricket here, be it any team playing. The English players spread out to take their respective spots. Brandon King and Shai Hope are the two West Indian openers, making their way to the crease. Jofra Archer has the new ball in hand. Had a pretty rough stint against Nepal in the first game. King to take the strike. The slips are empty. Here we go!
Right. We are just a few minutes away from the first ball. But before that, Carlos Brathwaite is given the honor of carrying the glittering trophy out to the middle. He places it carefully on the pedestal. Now, the giant flags of both countries are unfurled in the center as both teams walk out for their national anthems. Rally 'Round the West Indies will play first, followed by the English national anthem.
The skipper of West Indies - Shai Hope says that they would have bowled first as well but now have to set the tone with the bat. Adds that they play against England a lot and they both know what the other is capable of, but this is an important match and they need to bring their A-game. Mentions that they have made one tactical change, bringing in Roston Chase for Matthew Forde. Ends by saying Chase's off-break can come in handy against the left-handers of the English team.
The captain of England - Harry Brook says that the stats favors the teams batting second here and cites that is the very reason to bowl first. On the learnings from the Nepal game, he says it is all about staying cool and sticking to the same game plan and processes. Informs that there is one change in their XI as Jamie Overton replaces Luke Wood as they opt to lengthen their batting a bit.
West Indies (Playing XI) - Shai Hope (C/WK), Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase (In place of Matthew Forde), Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.
England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton (In place of Luke Wood), Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.