West Indies continued their dominance over England by securing a 10-run victory within the second match of the five-match sequence, taking a commanding 2-0 lead on the Nationwide Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Opener Brandon King performed a pivotal function in West Indies’ win, incomes the Man-of-the-Match award along with his unbeaten half-century. After being despatched into bat, West Indies discovered themselves in hassle at 54 for 4 within the ninth over. Nevertheless, they rallied to publish a difficult complete of 176 for seven of their allotted 20 overs.
King was the standout performer, scoring a powerful 82 not out off 52 deliveries, whereas captain Rovman Powell added one other priceless 50 runs off 28 balls.
In response, England struggled to seek out their rhythm all through their innings, regardless of Sam Curran’s valiant 50 off 32 balls. They finally completed at 166 for seven, falling in need of the goal. West Indies’ quick bowler Alzarri Joseph proved to be a serious impediment for the English batsmen, taking three essential wickets for 39 runs, whereas left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein chipped in with two wickets for twenty-four runs.
Gudakesh Motie, one of many surprises of the match
One of many surprises of the match was left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, making solely his second T20 Worldwide look in two years. He delivered a superb four-over spell that conceded simply 9 runs, additional irritating England’s efforts.
This victory marked West Indies’ third consecutive T20I win and their seventh win in 10 matches this yr. After their profitable outing within the sequence opener in Barbados, West Indies had a robust begin however suffered a fast collapse, shedding 4 wickets for simply 11 runs. King and Kyle Mayers (17) had added 43 runs for the primary wicket earlier than the slide started.
Regardless of the setbacks, King remained composed and fashioned essential partnerships with Powell, amassing a record-breaking 80 runs for the fifth wicket, and later including 42 runs for the sixth wicket with Andre Russell (14). King reached his eighth T20 Worldwide half-century within the thirteenth over.
Powell was instrumental in taking West Indies to a aggressive complete, reaching his 50 off simply 27 balls, together with three fours and 5 sixes. Nevertheless, he was dismissed within the seventeenth over, leaving King to complete the innings.
Holder’s distinctive penultimate over
Reflecting on his efficiency, King stated, “I obtained the beginning within the power-play, [and] it was troublesome for brand new batters to come back, particularly when the spinners had been bowling. Provided that I obtained the beginning, I simply tried to take it as deep as attainable.”
West Indies additionally made an influence with the ball early in England’s innings, as Hosein dismissed the prized wicket of Jos Buttler for simply two runs. England’s openers Phil Salt (25) and Will Jacks (24) stabilized the innings with a 46-run partnership for the second wicket.
Nevertheless, Joseph’s sensible spell accounted for each openers, and England discovered themselves struggling at 65 for 3 within the tenth over. Curran, promoted to quantity 4, supplied some resistance with a fast 50, but it surely was not sufficient to safe a win for England.
Seamer Jason Holder’s distinctive penultimate over, which price solely three runs, all however dashed England’s hopes of a comeback.
West Indies will look to keep up their successful momentum because the sequence progresses, whereas England faces an uphill battle to bounce again.
