Mike Gatting's England side were crushed by the West Indies in the opening match of Group G. Gatting won the toss and elected to bat on a poor looking surface. There had been much discussion about the quality of the pitch leading up to the match with many saying it was not fit for test cricket (England's management team included).
Gatting hoped his team would have the best of the wicket, but that didn't seem to be the case. England toiled as the West Indian pace quartet tore through their order. Ian Botham top scored with a swashbuckling 46 and Gatting put up some resistance, but England were bowled out cheaply during the afternoon session on day 1. Joel Garner and Curtly Ambrose took 3 wickets apiece.
In contrast, England's bowlers could not replicate the same bounce or movement from the wicket and the West Indian batsmen took full advantage. Bajan born Desmond Haynes smashed a fantastic 164 and was assisted by Larry Gomes (who finished unbeaten on 118) and Jeffrey Dujon (92). Viv Richards declared just before lunch on day 3 with the West Indies on 483 for 5 and in full control of the game. Their lead was 300 and their pace bowlers quickly had England in trouble once again.
England slumped to 69 for 5, then Ian Botham and Paul Downton added 34 for the 6th wicket. Downton was then hit in the hand by a delivery from Curtly Ambrose and was forced to retire hurt. His condition is unknown for Englands next game. Some late resistance from Emburey and Ellison helped England move to a moderately respectable total, but they were all out for 162. Malcolm Marshall bowled with pace and venom, taking 4 for 45 and the West Indies won by an innings and 138 runs.
Haynes was a well deserved Man of the Match. The West Indies head off to the sub-continent next to play the Rest of the World, while England head home to face Australia.
West Indies 1980s: DL Haynes; RB Richardson; IVA Richards [c]; AL Logie; HA Gomes; PJL Dujon [w]; RA Harper; MD Marshall; CEL Ambrose; J Garner; CA Walsh
England 1980s: GA Gooch; G Boycott; MW Gatting [c]; AJ Lamb; DW Randall; IT Botham; PR Downton [w]; JE Emburey; RM Ellison; GR Dilley; RGD Willis
England 1980s 1st Innings 183-10 (49.5 Ov)
IT Botham 46, MW Gatting 34, G Boycott 27, J Garner 3-49, CEL Ambrose 3-49
West Indies 1980s 1st Innings 483-5 (134.3 Ov)
DL Haynes 164, HA Gomes 118*, PJL Dujon 92, JE Emburey 2-99
England 1980s 2nd Innings 162-9 (61.1 Ov)
MW Gatting 37, RM Ellison 26, MD Marshall 4-45, CA Walsh 2-26
West Indies 1980s win by an innings and 138 runs
Man of the Match : DL Haynes
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