England are looking to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the teams with a win against West Indies in their fourth World Cup match.
Eoin Morgan’s side recovered from a defeat against Pakistan to convincingly win against Bangladesh, but will need to be at their best against Jason Holder’s men. England drew a bilateral series 2-2 with the West Indies during their winter tour but will be confident as they look to extend their winning run at the Ageas Bowl to five matches.
India vs New Zealand was abandoned yesterday without a ball being bowled due to rain. The forecast for today is much better and any early rain should pass. Follow live updates in the blog below:
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of England vs West Indies from a DRY Ageas Bowl in Southampton!
The West Indies should be playing their second game here but their match against South Africa on Monday was abandoned without a ball bowled, as was India vs New Zealand at Trent Bridge yesterday taking the total number of abandoned games to a World Cup record three.
There’s a few dark clouds circling above the Hampshire Bowl and some strong winds knocking about, but there is no danger of rain ruining what should be a thoroughly entertaining match.
We’ll have the teams and the news of the toss from 10:00.
Teams
England won the toss and chose to bowl
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2.0 West Indies 2-0 Chris Gayle 0 Evin Lewis 2
Chris Woakes opens the bowling with a maiden over and then it's Jofra Archer's turn to face the West Indies for the first time as an England international and goes for two off Lewis.
3.5 West Indies 4-1
WICKET! Evin Lewis (2) b Chris Woakes
It looked like Lewis got something on it but the full-length delivery was perfect, it crashed off Lewis' pad and cannoned into the stumps.
This is absolutely perfect for England and puts the West Indies on the back foot as they now need to decide whether to hold out for a little longer or go for the jugular early.
4.0 West Indies 8-1 Shai Hope Chris 0 Gayle 5
4.0 West Indies 8-1 Shai Hope Chris 0 Gayle 5
Chris Woakes is bowling really well out there and completes his second maiden over, this time to Shai Hope.
There's a little bit in this pitch for the seamers, not Jimmy Anderson swing, but enough there to keep things exciting for Woakes and co.
4.1 West Indies 12-1 Shai Hope Chris Gayle 9
Here's Jofra Archer, let's see if he can build on what Chris Woakes has started.
Chris Gayle slams his first delivery back at him, narrowly misses the bowler and it runs away for four.
4.2 West Indies 16-1 Shai Hope Chris Gayle 13
West Indies double their score in two balls as Gayle finds the vacant boundary at mid-wicket with a cracking shot.
6.1 West Indies 20-1 Shai Hope 1 Chris Gayle 16
Chris Gayle you lucky boy. He slices Chris Woakes' delivery high towards third man and Mark Wood is closest after running about 20 hands but can't keep hold on it as his elbows slam on the ground.
You don't often see angry resoponses from Woakes but there was one there.
7.0 West Indies 21-1 Shai Hope Chris 1 Gayle 16
8 West Indies 26-1 Shai Hope 1 Chris Gayle 21
Problems here for England as Jason Roy appears to pull up with a hamstring injury while fielding at mid-wicket. Eoin Morgan goes over to see what's the case and calls for a substitute fielder to be brought out.
James Vince is on in his place.
10 West Indies 44-1 Shai Hope 4 Chris Gayle 33
Gayle has come to life after a shaky start that saw him dropped by Mark Wood early on. The show is just getting started here, you feel.
West Indies will be fairly happy with the powerplay and the way they managed the new ball inside the first 10 overs.
This is the most economical powerplay, mind.
10.4 West Indies 45-1 Shai Hope 6 Chris Gayle 35
Liam Plunkett comes in for his first over.
Hope quickly gets Gayle back on strike, but the universe boss can only manager a single despite a couple of big swipes.
Great fielding there from Eoin Morgan at cover to prevent Hope's low, powerful strike to skittling away to the boundary for four.
11 West Indies 46-1 Shai Hope 6 Chris Gayle 35
12 West Indies 47-1 Shai Hope 6 Chris Gayle 36
Mark Wood comes into the attack and will be keen to make up for dropping Gayle earlier.
Wow he is quick. There's no sign of that troublesome ankle injury causing him any grief here.
He's wasted no time in finding a nice line and forced the big-hitter into playing defensive shots.
12.3 West Indies 53-1 Shai Hope 10 Chris Gayle 36
Close! Liam Plunkett almost gets Hope caught behind, but the ball is just too wide for Jos Buttler to prevent it going for four.
13 West Indies 54-1 Shai Hope 11 Chris Gayle 36
WICKET! Chris Gayle (36) b Liam Plunkett c Jonny Bairstow.
The slow delivery from Plunkett gets Gayle! Bairstow is well placed at deep-backwards square.
WICKET!
Hope (11) LBW Mark Wood
The original decision was not out, but a considered review showed the ball was hitting stumps!
England get a second wicket in three balls!
Roy update
We are told by England that Jason Roy is being assessed for "tightness in his left hamstring".
He pulled up while fielding at mid-wicket about half an hour ago. We'll keep you in the loop with anything we hear.
It's all happening here.
14 West Indies 56-3 Nicholas Pooran 1 Shimron Hetmyer 1
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