A dominant display from England in all departments put an end to the West Indies’ impressive eight-match winning streak in T20Is. Phil Salt and Jonny Bairstow’s explosive batting at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on St Lucia powered England to a total of 180 runs after which they chased down the target within 17.3 overs.
On social media, following England’s resounding victory, former West Indies great Ian Bishop accused his team of giving up too easily as he outlined the flaws that cost the hosts dearly.
“Can’t afford 51 dot balls on a good batting surface,” wrote Bishop on X.
It was Jos Buttler’s decision to bowl first having won the toss that quickly proved to be a good one.
The crowd was ignited by Brandon King with a massive six that travelled over 101 metres and three boundaries after five very cautious opening overs of his innings. Unfortunately, King strained his side when he was on 23 forcing him into early retirement and leaving West Indies in serious trouble.
Afterwards it fell upon Nicholas Pooran and Johnson Charles to steady the ship. Charles then began to go for big shots but England kept their discipline and therefore scoring rate under wraps.
In his innings of 38, Rovman Powell played an important cameo after Charles got out. Powell’s knock gave hope to the Windies that they could reach an imposing score with a quick-fire innings of five sixes – three off Liam Livingstone – in just thirty-six deliveries including twenty-nine lusty blows which raised hopes for larger score for WI
However, just when the hosts looked set to exceed two hundred runs, English bowlers fought back strongly
Livingstone made amends by removing Powell in the same over while Jofra Archer accounted for Pooran who was struggling along at less than run-a-ball while contributing with only 36 runs from 32 balls. At this critical moment, Adil Rashid lured Andre Russell into an ill-advised shot that went straight to hands.
Sherfane Rutherford contributed 28 off 15 balls at the death as the West Indies finished with a total of 180
Salt led England’s dominant performance with a blistering knock of runs from 47 balls, which featured seven boundaries and five maximums. Bairstow offered good support making unbeaten 48 in just twenty six deliveries including five fours and two sixes.
However, their bowlers also deserve much praise for their disciplined work. The English bowling unit as whole delivered a commendable 51 dot balls where both Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid were the pick of the lot.
Archer gave away only thirty-four runs in his spell, while Rashid was even more economic yielding just twenty-one runs. Together they accounted for twenty-two dots or no-runs-balls out of all those bowled by England
This comprehensive win (with 15 balls left) significantly improved England’s net run-rate to 1.343. With this performance, they moved ahead of South Africa who had earlier beaten USA on the same day to lead the table.
On Saturday, West Indies will play against United States in Barbados whereas England will face South Africa in St Lucia on Friday.
