During a rain-affected ODI series at The Oval, England’s bowler Matthew Potts made headlines not just for his bowling, but for reviving a pigeon struck by the ball. England completed a commanding 3-0 series whitewash over West Indies, overcoming earlier setbacks under new captain Brook with explosive batting performances.
In a memorable moment during the recent One Day International (ODI) match between England and the West Indies at The Oval, England's bowler Matthew Potts displayed a unique act of compassion by reviving a pigeon struck by the ball. The unexpected incident occurred amidst the action of the match, captivating both the players and spectators, and highlighting the lighter side of the sport. The footage of Potts attempting to help the bird has circulated widely, adding an amusing anecdote to the series.
The match itself ended with England secured a decisive 3-0 series victory over the West Indies, concluding their performance with a comprehensive seven-wicket win. The encounter was marred by rain, which led to a revised target of 246 runs for England after the West Indies had set a total of 251 runs for the loss of nine wickets. England's chase was characterised by explosive batting, notably from opener Jamie Smith, who smashed 64 runs off just 28 balls. Alongside Ben Duckett, who scored 58 runs, and Joe Root, with a steady 44, they made quick work of the target, with Jos Buttler sealing the win with a powerful six.
This triumph marked a significant turnaround for England's new white-ball captain, Brook, following a frustrating run of seven consecutive ODI losses prior to this series. The team's dynamic performance has been celebrated as a promising start, restoring confidence and enthusiasm among players and supporters alike.
As part of the match, the statistics showcased the contributions of various players. Although England’s total of 206 for 9 in 40 overs appeared modest, Duckett led the scoring with 71 runs, backed by Liam Livingstone’s 45. However, the West Indies, utilising the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method due to rain interruptions, managed to reach a revised target of 191 runs at 31.4 overs, ultimately securing victory by four wickets. The debut of bowler Matthew Forde was noteworthy, as he claimed three wickets for 29 runs, contributing significantly to his team's efforts.
Overall, the blend of an extraordinary moment with the pigeon, alongside England's strong performance throughout the series, has added a memorable chapter to both teams' histories, showcasing cricket's ability to entertain and surprise both on and off the field.
📌 Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no prior reports of Matthew Potts reviving a pigeon during an ODI match. The earliest known publication date of similar content is June 3, 2025. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The match concluded with England's decisive 3-0 series victory over the West Indies, with a comprehensive seven-wicket win. The encounter was marred by rain, leading to a revised target of 246 runs for England after the West Indies set a total of 251 runs for the loss of nine wickets. England's chase was characterised by explosive batting, notably from opener Jamie Smith, who scored 64 runs off just 28 balls. Alongside Ben Duckett, who scored 58 runs, and Joe Root, with a steady 44, they made quick work of the target, with Jos Buttler sealing the win with a powerful six. This information aligns with reports from Reuters and ESPN. ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/videos/cg4qrknxl3yo?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes in the narrative, such as descriptions of the match's events and player performances, do not appear in earlier material. This suggests that the content is potentially original or exclusive. However, without direct matches to earlier publications, it's challenging to fully verify the originality of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from the BBC, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. This adds credibility to the report.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative's claims, including the unique incident of Matthew Potts reviving a pigeon during the ODI match, are plausible and align with the known events of the match. The match details, such as the rain-affected target and the performances of players like Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root, are consistent with reports from Reuters and ESPN. ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/videos/cg4qrknxl3yo?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of the pigeon revival adds an unusual but believable anecdote to the match's events.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is original, with no prior reports of Matthew Potts reviving a pigeon during an ODI match. The quotes appear to be original or exclusive, and the source is highly reliable. The claims made are plausible and consistent with known events, with the inclusion of the pigeon revival adding a unique but believable anecdote. Therefore, the narrative passes the fact-check with high confidence.
