By Brandon Corlette in Barbados
Kensington Oval went wild on Sunday night as West Indies defeated world number one ranked England by 17 runs to clinch the five-match Betway T20I series 3-2. Bridgetown Barbados continued to chant for Jason Holder, as he claimed 5-27, including four wickets in four balls, to bowl England out for 162 in 19.5 overs.
In the chase of 180, England opener Jason Roy slammed Akeal Hosein for two boundaries off two balls, but he was removed for eight, the next ball. Tom Banton and James Vince added 32 quick runs, but Odean Smith, bowling a heavy ball, got one to climb and Banton was caught for 16. Afterwards, Smith found the edge of the dangerous Moeen Ali but Holder, at slip dropped the catch.
(Photo: Getty Images)
The number three batsman, Vince added a touch of class, with his text-book shots as England posted 56-2 in the powerplay. Vince dominated the 46-run stand with Moeen Ali, who was removed the first ball after drinks by Holder at 86-3. Ali who was tied down by the pace of Smith, made 14 from 19 balls. Livingstone struggles with the bat continued this series, as he made only six, as the canny Hosein picked up his second at 95-4 in 11.2 overs.
Vince reached his fifty from 30 balls, but Hosein came into the act again, removing Vince for a 35-ball 55 which had seven fours and one six. At 119-6 in 15.1 overs, Phil Salt was stumped by Pooran, as Hosein picked up his fourth wicket, ending with his best T20I figures of 4-30 from four brilliant overs.
The Oval was at the edge of their seats as Sam Billings kept England in the hunt. He took a liking to Smith, hitting him for 20 runs in the 18th over. Cotrell then came and bowled a good penultimate over, leaking only eight runs, leaving England to get 20 runs to win off six balls.
Homeboy Holder started with a no ball in the final over, but he redeemed himself. He sent back Chris Jordan, who was caught at the boundary, followed by Billings, Chris Jordan and Reece Topley. That marked Holder’s helmet-trick, ending the series with 15 wickets. He took the player of the match and player of series awards.
Mayers flyer, Pollard, Powell power
Earlier, West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first, Fabian Allen and Odean Smith returned to the starting XI, while Darren Bravo and Dominic Drakes missed out. Brandon King greeted Saqib Mahmood with a six, while Kyle Mayers played some calypso shots into square leg-for a six and followed by a four, in the 19-run second over.
Moeen Ali introduced himself and produced a ripper, but Sam Billings missed a stumping opportunity. Mayers did not respect Chris Jordan, as he smoked him for a boundary the first ball in his spell. Mayers continued to clip the ball off his hips and King breached the 50-run partnership with a six over long-on off Ali, in 5.1 overs.
Mayers shot-filled knock of 31 from 19, which had three fours and two sixes, came to an end with a screaming catch by duo Jason Roy and Phil Salt at mid-wicket. After the 59-run partnership ended in 6.4 overs, Romario Shepherd was promoted to number three, and after he struck a six over long-on, he was sent back by Liam Livingston at 67-2.
