Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Parry was named Man of the Match for taking three wickets on debut

England’s bowling attack was the team’s saving grace as they ripped through the West Indies’s batting line-up to level the series in a hard-fought three-wicket win in Antigua.

England’s batsmen were absolutely humiliated in their chase of 160 and it was only thanks to an unbeaten 58-run partnership between all-rounder Ravi Bopara and captain Stuart Broad that they managed to cross the finish line.

Debutant Stephen Parry was the standout performer for England as he claimed the wickets of Lendl Simmons, Darren Sammy and Sunil Narine.

While most people would have been surprised by Broad’s decision to bowl first, it actually turned out to be a good choice as West Indies opening batsman Dwayne Smith was caught by Luke Wright at short midwicket off the bowling of Joe Root for five runs.

Kieran Powell managed to make 16 runs before he was caught and bowled by Moeen Ali.

Kirk Edwards only scored nine runs before he was brilliantly caught by James Tredwell in the slip region off the bowling of Root.

Darren Bravo and Lendl Simmons stabilised the innings with a 51-run partnership before Bravo was clean bowled by Broad for 13.

Simmons and West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo kept the runs flowing with a 52-run partnership, during which Simmons brought up his half-century, before Bravo was stumped by Jos Buttler off the bowling of Tredwell for 20.

Simmons ended up making 70 off 98 balls, which included four boundaries and two sixes, before he was caught by Ben Stokes at deep midwicket to give Parry his maiden ODI wicket.

Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin only scored five runs before he was clean bowled by Tim Bresnan.

Darren Sammy failed to have an impact with the bat as he was caught by Broad at midwicket off the bowling of Parry for just three runs.

Sunil Narine fared no better as he was stumped by Buttler off the bowling of Parry for four runs.

The West Indies were bowled out for a dismal 159 after Ravi Rampaul was caught by Michael Lumb at long-off off the bowling of Tredwell for only one run.

Parry was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Tredwell and Root snapped up two wickets apiece and Broad, Ali and Bresnan chipped in with one wicket each.

Chasing a simple target of 160 to win, England got off to a poor start as Ali was caught by Nikita Miller off the bowling of Rampaul for 10 runs.

Wright failed to trouble the scorers as he was clean bowled by Narine for a duck.

Lumb managed to make 39 runs before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Miller.

Root scored 23 runs before he was caught and bowled by Dwayne Bravo.

Bravo struck again the very next ball as Buttler was caught behind for a golden duck.

Stokes did not fare any better as he was caught behind off the bowling of Miller for just four runs.

Bresnan made 10 runs before he was run out by Dwayne Bravo.

However, there were to be no more twists and turns in this match as Broad and Bopara amassed an unbeaten 58-run partnership to lead England to a three-wicket win.

Broad finished on 28 off 46 balls, which included three boundaries, while Bopara remained undefeated on 38 off 59 deliveries, which included four boundaries.

Bravo and Miller picked up two wickets apiece, while Rampaul and Narine chipped in with one wicket each.

Bravo was livid with his team’s awful batting display, and said: “It was a poor batting display. I expected better. We keep losing early wickets and it’s something we have to look at.

“We have a never-say-die attitude, we didn’t want to drop our heads. We knew we had Sunil Narine and Miller. Happy with the bowling group but [they were] let down by the batters. [The lower order] will get some harsh words.”

Broad was “delighted” to have levelled the series, and said: “Delighted to have won, we made it hard work. The bowling was awesome, [especially] the way the guys learnt from the other day. It’s been quite a hard wicket to score on. We had a wobble but great to get over the line.

“There’s some turn for the spinners and [it was] hard to score off. It creates pressure and wickets come.

“That’s what Ravi is batting at number seven for, we know he’s a good finisher. It’s great to see him take that responsibility on. We took it five runs at a time which helped our minds stay clear.”

Parry edged out Bopara for the Man of the Match award, and said: “It’s one of the proudest moments of my life. Six months ago I didn’t think I’d be on the tour. It’s a dream come true.”