West Indies tour of England 2-match first ever one day international series of the final and 2nd ODI cricket match played between England and West Indies at The Oval in 07th September 1973.
West Indies beat England with depressing ease by 8 wickets and with 76 balls remaining (12.4 overs to spare) in the second of the Prudential Trophy series match at The Oval, Although each side won one match, West Indies took the series by their higher overall scoring run rate.
The English cricketers and their match only with alarms so far as it bears on the coming Test series in the Caribbean.
The West Indies win was achieved with an air almost of condescension, No West Indian sent down a bouncer the weapon which so disconcerted the English batting in the Tests - while Keith Boyce, the most effective bowler of the series.
Keith Boyce was given only six overs and delivered half of them from a half-length run.
England were never in the game with a chance to win. Recovery is always difficult in one-day cricket and after an indifferent start.
Their batting apart from Keith Fletcher was always striving to haul itself up from disaster, their bowling posed no real difficulty.
This pitch was amiably perfect, At Headingley there was some swing a little pace and seam movement. This one was Ideal for batsmen and the moment Rohan Kanhai saw it he must have realised that no team in the world could score faster than his in such conditions.
In this period of scarcity of truly great players Geoff Boycott assumes a dangerously disproportionate stature in the English team. He had declared himself unfit and. In his absence there was a general lack of confidence brought in John Jameson, David Lloyd and Geoff Arnold for Geoff Boycott, Frank Hayes and Mike Hendrick.
West Indies left out Garfield Sobers, which always produces an impression of unreality, and Deryck Murray for Headley and the young David Murray.
Mike Smith and John Jameson made a workmanlike beginning and had created a foundation of 38-runs in 13 overs when it was knocked from under pressure, Clive Lloyd no often used as a bowler by West Indies.
Clive Lloyd bowled to dismiss Mike Smith, Mike Smith's stumps by way of the inside edge, with his first ball, in the same over England skipper Mike Denness got out for duck out with LBW, Clive Lloyd applauded warmly in was LBW.
Twenty plodding runs came in the next 15 overs before John Jameson, who had batted with sturdy determination, square cut Lance Gibbs into the hands of Vanburn Holder at deep backward point, in the same over Clive Lloyd was run out in a calling muddle with Keith Fletcher.
England were 98 for lost 4 wickets in 37 overs at lunch and short of a defeat in a match of 55 overs a side, Keith Fletcher drove on with calculated boldness.
Tony Greig lucky to escape being run out when the wicket was broken before the ball arrived, stayed with him for 41 in 10 overs.
Chris Old and Geoff Arnold each for 35 in seven in the final face saving operation which helped English set the 189 for 9 in respected 55 overs.
While West Indies chasing 190, West Indies rapidly dispelled any idea that this would prove a defensible total.
Ron Headley, after a slow start was overhauling Roy Fredericks when his intended off-drive edged Geoff Arnold to Bob Taylor, That was 43 for lost one wicket in the 12th over.
In the next 22 overs Roy Fredericks and Alvin Kallicharran made a century partnership, Mike Denness employed his invariably successful tactic for Kent of bringing on Underwood, but without effect.
Just before tea Roy Fredericks with no more than a turn of the wrists, despatched Chris Old over mid-wicket for six.
An hour afterwards Roy Fredericks cut Underwood for four to reach his hundred (100 off 113 deliveries) including 10 terrific fours and one six a lively questing Innings in which his bat was always poised for attack.
Alvin Kallicharran more subdued than usual was nevertheless enterprising and the runs rattled on until it seemed that the two would see the match won.
Only another four runs were wanted when Roy Fredericks aimed a disrespectful stroke at Geoff Arnold, the best of the England bowler and lost his off-stump, in a glimpse of David Murray the job was done, without Kanhai, Lloyd, Foster or Julien coming to the wicket.
Roy Fredericks was named man of the match award with his match winning knock of 105 off 122 deliveries and Tony Greig was man of the series with valuable 48 at Leeds in the first ODI and 17 in this match.
Most important of all, West Indies have emerged as probably the strongest Test team in the world.
Earlier, West Indies and England first ever ODI match played at Leeds in 05th September 1973, which was England won in the last over by 1 wicket with 3 balls spare.
* This modified Article reference from ( T.G ) Author by John Arlott
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