Sam Curran wears sunglasses while batting in the first ODI between the West Indies and England.

Thanks to Sam Curran performance, England managed to reach a respectable 325 all out in the 50 overs that were allocated to them.

On Sunday, December 3, in Antigua, the opening One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series saw the West Indies defeat England magnificently by four wickets. The West Indies took a 1-0 lead in the series after chasing down the enormous 326 mark with seven balls remaining, riding a brilliant century from Shai Hope.

In addition to the amazing cricket action that took place on the field during the opening One-Day International, England all-rounder Sam Curran made headlines when he batted while wearing sunglasses. In the sweltering Caribbean heat, the southpaw batted through his entire inning while wearing sunglasses. With England on 232/6 in the 39th over, Curran came in to bat and produced an outstanding 38(26) smacking three fours and two sixes.

Sam Curran batting with sunglasses.
In 90’s we saw Brian Lara and specially Jack Russell do it.
Do you guys remember any other cricketer who had glasses on while batting? pic.twitter.com/KcgpaDP4xE

— Anirudh Kalra (@CricketKalra) December 3, 2023

The all-rounder, however, didn’t have a great game with the ball as he gave up 98 runs in 9.5 overs at an economy of 10. Notably, it surpassed Steve Harmison’s 0/97 in 10 overs against Sri Lanka in July 2006 to become the most costly figures by an England bowler in One-Day Internationals.

Alick Athanaze (66 off 65) and Brandon King (35 off 44), the West Indies’ openers, set up 104 runs for the first wicket off 106 balls as they returned to the field to chase a lofty goal of 326 runs. West Indies were 144/3 after 29.1 overs, having lost three wickets in rapid succession following a strong opening stand.

Romario Shepherd and Shai Hope developed a vital collaboration.

West Indies captain Shai Hope saw that the game was getting out of hand, so he struck a magnificent hundred and played an innings of 109* off 83 balls, slamming seven sixes and four fours. West Indies were on the verge of victory thanks to an 89-run stand off 51 balls, which he had strong assistance from Romario Shepherd (49 off 28).

In the penultimate over, Hope led his team to victory and was rightfully awarded Player of the Match. The second One-Day International (ODI) between the two teams will play place at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua on Wednesday, December 6.