England produced a brilliant batting performance to level their three-match ODI series against the West Indies at 1-1 with a five-wicket win in the second ODI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday.
The tourists won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that didn’t look the best in batting-friendly conditions in North Sound.
The West Indians made excellent use of these conditions, putting themselves in a good position to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead with 328-6 off their 50 overs.
Captain Shai Hope led the way with 117, his first ODI century of 2024 and 17th overall. His knock came off 127 deliveries and included eight fours and four sixes.
Keacy Carty and Sherfane Rutherford were the next highest scorers with 71 off 77 balls and 54 off 36 balls, respectively.
John Turner and Adil Rashid each took two wickets for England.
England stand-in captain Liam Livingstone then produced a magnificent effort to lift his side to victory and set up a deciding third ODI.
The all-rounder hit five fours and nine sixes on his way to 124* off just 85 balls, his maiden hundred in the format.
England also got 50+ scores from Barbados-born pair Phil Salt (59) and Jacob Bethell (55) as well as Sam Curran (52) as they needed only 47.3 overs to reach 329-5.
Matthew Forde took 3-48 from 8.3 overs for the West Indies.
Full Scores:
West Indies 328-6 off 50 overs (Shai Hope 117, Keacy Carty 71, Sherfane Rutherford 54, John Turner 2-42, Adil Rashid 2-62)
England 329-5 off 47.3 overs (Liam Livingstone 124*, Phil Salt 59, Jacob Bethell 55, Sam Curran 52, Matthew Forde 3-48)
The two teams will now turn their attention to the series-deciding third ODI in Bridgetown on Wednesday.