The West Indies, led by explosive half centuries from openers Shai Hope and Evin Lewis, have chased down a record target of 219 to beat England with an over to spare to win by five wickets in their T20 international on Saturday.
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While the game was a dead rubber with England having already won the opening three matches of the five-game series but the crowd at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground were treated to some high-scoring entertainment as West Indies enjoyed their second highest successful run chase in T20Is — and highest ever at home, eclipsing their chase of India’s 1/194 all the way back in 2017.
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, England openers Phil Salt and Will Jacks put on 54 runs for the first wicket before Alzarri Joseph removed Jacks caught behind with the final ball of the fifth over.
But Salt continued to take full advantage of a good batting track, as he took England to 102 before he was removed by Roston Chase in the 10th over for 55 — a knock that featured five fours and four sixes.
Skipper Jos Buttler hit 38 off 23 but it was Jacob Bethell’s 62 not out and a useful 24 from 13 balls from Sam Curran that took England to a strong score.
The West Indies’ top order has struggled in this series but this time Hope and Lewis attacked England from the outset, swiftly reduced the run-rate.
Hope brought up his 50 off 23 balls — slamming a short ball from Rehan Ahmed through mid-wicket to reach his half century.
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And not long after, Lewis, who up until the eighth over had played a supporting role, went on the ultra-offensive — taking Liam Livingstone for 30 runs off a single over, including three sixes, a four and six wides.
Livingstone’s over begun with five wides down the leg side of Lewis, before being hix for six on the second, fifth and sixth ball of the over.
Lewis brought up his 12th T20I half century from just 26 balls when he pulled Curran through square leg for four.
Rehan Ahmed finally got the breakthrough when Lewis mistimed a cover-drive to Dan Mousley, the West Indies opener departing for 68 — in a whirlwind knock that included seven sixes with England in a commanding position at 136-1 With the next ball Hope departed, run out by Livingstone, and England picked up a third wicket in as many balls when Nicholas Pooran was bowled by Ahmed after finding the inside edge.
Suddenly, West Indies were 3/136 with a new pair at the crease, as England sensed the chance to turn the game around.
But skipper Rovman Powell showed no nerves as he hit 38 from 23 balls with three sixes before he was trapped lbw by John Turner.
Sharfane Rutherford saw the home side to a morale-boosting victory with his unbeaten 29 ending the contest by smashing Mousley for two sixes.
“(The) guys were more committed today,” said Powell.
“It has been a series where you win the toss, win the game, but the guys played well — 3-2 is better than 4-1, (there’s) still a lot to play for,” he said looking ahead to Sunday’s final game.
Despite the loss, Butler said he had few complaints about the performance.
“I thought it was an excellent wicket. We got off to a great start with Jacks and Salty; (I) thought we needed at least 220,” he said.
“They played exceptionally well, put us under pressure. I thought we played well, put up a good score and they played well to chase it down.”
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