Windies batsman Evin Lewis on Wednesday broke international cricket’s oldest standing record across formats, set in the first-ever Test in 1877, registering the highest score by a batsman retired hurt. The 25-year-old smashed his own foot after scoring 176* against England in the fourth ODI, surpassing Englishman Charles Bannerman’s record of 165 runs from the first-ever Test 140 years ago.
Evin Lewis’s stunning 176 off 130 balls wasn’t enough to prevent England from winning the fourth One-Day International against Windies by six runs on DLS method at The Oval on Wednesday (September 27).
Lewis was on course to hit a double century after Windies was asked to bat first, but had to retire hurt following a freak injury in the 47th over. He deflected a delivery from Jake Ball into his ankle, fracturing it, and collapsed to the turf. After prolonged on-field treatment, he was wheeled off on a stretcher.
Nevertheless, Windies posted a formidable 356 for 5, but Jason Roy’s 84 and a crucial 77-run stand between Jos Buttler (43 not out) and Moeen Ali (48 not out) helped England reach 258 for 5 in 35.1 overs before rain had the final say. In the process, England secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Heavy rain was forecast in the evening, which may have forced England to hit out from the outset.
Roy was playing his first match in the series after Alex Hales was dropped from the side along with Ben Stokes. The England allrounder was arrested in Bristol on suspicion of actual bodily harm in the early hours of Monday morning and remained under investigation after being released without charge. Hales was with Stokes during the incident.