The Story

Windies may have lost the opportunity to qualify for the 2019 World Cup automatically, but they can still fancy a chance to win an ODI series in England against the hosts.

The first ODI ended in a heartbreaking manner and left the Windies in a gloomy mood after the game. Ironically, a similar gloomy weather and a downpour provided them with a sort of relief after the second ODI at Trent Bridge was called off after just 2.2 overs into the game.

Coming into the third match, which is set to play at the County Ground in Bristol, Windies will probably be much more confident.

Skipper Holder Believes In Gayle

Windies skipper Jason Holder has expressed confidence that the swashbuckling opener Chris Gayle will create a good impact. Gayle, who regained his place in the ODI side after two and half years, made a quick fire 38 in his comeback game before getting ruled out of the second ODI due to a hamstring issue. The Jamaican giant suffered a sudden pain in his right hamstring while warming-up shortly before the toss and could not participate as a result.

The 38-year-old has recovered and is now available as Windies look to draw level with England leading the series 1-0.

“I think Chris is good to go…I think the last game was more precautionary than anything else. He seems to be raring to go,” Sport24 quoted Holder as saying at the County Ground on Saturday.

“It’s good to have him back. We hope we can have him for the duration of the series,” he added.

Before the ODIs, Gayle looked in fine form, as he smashed 49 from just 21 balls to help West Indies defeat England by 21 runs in their lone T20I fixture on Saturday. He was expected to carry the same form in the ODI series as well, which he did, but not for a prolonged period. However, the glimpse was visible and only better things are expected from him as the series progresses.