West Indies won the series against England

2023.12.23

he West Indies held its nerve in the last over to beat world champion England and win their Twenty20 series 3-2 on Thursday.

At Brian Lara Stadium, England, behind 132 all out, bowled beautifully at the finish to create tension and a glimmer of hope.

In the 17th over, medium-pacer Sam Curran removed Andre Russell with two runs, while fast bowler Reece Topley removed West Indies skipper Rovman Powell in the 19th over with two runs.

The West Indies was still favored going into the last over, but needed nine runs.

After Rehan Ahmed had saved a run on the boundary beyond square, Jason Holder scored three runs off Chris Woakes‘ opening delivery. Shai Hope then hit his maiden six over deep point to end the game.

With four balls remaining, West Indies triumphed by four wickets after scoring 133-6.

The one-day international series was likewise won by the host team, 2-1.

Hope scored 43 runs without being out to lead the West Indies chase.

However, it was swaying at 54-3 after eight overs.

Hope was joined by Sherfane Rutherford in the middle, and the latter was passed by the former with his first six back over Adil Rashid’s head to reach 20.

Rutherford gave Rashid 2-21 from his four overs when he slapped Curran over the fence at fine leg. Curran then caught Rutherford on 30.

Ahmed gave up 11 runs in the following over to ease the burden on the West Indies, who needed 34 from 30 deliveries.

However, it quickly resumed after Powell was removed by Topley, who concluded his four overs with 2-17.

Following a batting effort that was a shadow of its best in the series-levelling victory on Tuesday at the same venue, England fought valiantly.

On Tuesday, England was out for less than half of its historic 267-3 score. On the sticky, worn pitch, England struck just five sixes after blasting 19 at the time.

With an unchanged lineup, England’s opener Phil Salt scored more runs than anybody else, but the West Indies fielded and bowled with precision and vigor.

In the fourth over, Holder was scooped by Oshane Thomas at short fine leg, dismissing England captain Jos Buttler for eleven.

After hitting the first six of the inning, Will Jacks was bowled out by Akeal Hosein the following ball.

Salt was next to go in the seventh over, straight after his first six. Gudakesh Motie came round the wicket and hit the top of middle stump. No third successive hundred for Salt — he scored 38 off 22 balls.

Moeen Ali added 23 off 21 and Liam Livingstone 28 off 29, his caught and bowled to Motie starting a collapse of the last five wickets for 11 runs.

Motie and fellow left-arm spinner Hosein shared five wickets for 44 runs. They dismissed five of the top six batters.

Russell and Holder also took two wickets each.

@charith