Powell’s stunning century leads West Indies to 20-run win

Betway T20I Series: 3rd match…04

By Brandon Corlette in Barbados

A returning Rovman Powell struck a brilliant century at the Kensington Oval as West Indies defeated England by 20 runs on Wednesday, and now lead the five-match Betway series 2-1.
In the run-fest which produced 31 sixes in total, West Indies posted 224-5 in 20 overs, while England made 204-9 when their 20 overs expired.

The Rovman-Pooran show
It was a working day in Bridgetown, but fans came out in their numbers again, and the venue was at its electrifying best. England won the toss and asked West Indies to bat first, and openers Brandon King and Shai Hope departed cheaply.
King, who was bowled by debutant George Garton for a run-a-ball 10, departed at 11-1 in the second over. Hope played a poor sweep shot to part-timer Liam Livingstone and left the crease, caught by keeper Banton at 48-2 in 5.2 overs.
Pooran, however, continued to latch on to the English bowlers with some top shots all around the Oval. He and Powell joined forces and added 122 runs together, the highest third-wicket stand for the West Indies. Pooran, the pocket rocket that he is, reached his fifth T20I fifty in 34 balls that produced an innings of pure class.
Powell, on the other hand, reached his fifty with a brilliant six over extra-cover in 31 balls. West Indies breached the 100-run mark in 64 balls, and the Oval crowd stood on its feet to enjoy the six-hitting show.
Pooran, who made 70 from 43 balls and struck fives sixes and four fours, was dismissed at 170-7 in 16.2 overs, but Rovman’s dominance continued.
He reached his maiden T20I century in 51 balls, but, two balls after that, was brilliantly taken by Livingstone. His fine knock ended with a strike-rate of 201, with 10 sixes and four fours.
Powell became the third West Indian, after Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, to score a T20I century. Powell’s century was also the third fastest, with Gayle scoring centuries after 47 balls and 50 balls.
After Fabian Allen fell for a golden duck, Romario Shepherd and Kieron Pollard added the final touches to propel West Indies to 224-5, the highest total in T20I cricket at Kensington.
On a day when England’s bowlers were taken to the cleaners and the West Indies struck 16 sixes, Adil Rashid was respected by the batsmen, and was the pick of the English bowlers with 1-25 in four overs of leg-spin.

Banton brings fire, Salt peppers boundary
In response, England openers came out with fire in their eyes. Jason Roy slammed two sixes, but his 16-ball 19 came to an end when Shepherd was introduced. James Vince (16) and the belligerent Banton added 46 runs, with Banton being the dominator.
At 79-2, in 7.5 overs, England looked on course to triumph, but West Indies kept chipping away with wickets.
Moeen Ali, who is leading England in this match, fell for another duck to Pollard, who was bowling a top spell, mixing things up. Liam Livingstone came and made only 11, and England were 107-4 in 11.1 overs.
Banton, who kept the Barmy Army cheering, reached his 50 from 29 balls, and watched his partners fall on the other end. His career-best T20I knock of 73 from 39 balls, decorated with six maximums and three fours, ended when he was removed by Pollard at 129-5 in 12.3 overs.
The West Indies felt in total control, but debutant Phil Salt had other plans. Salt came and peppered the boundary, in the process scoring a scorching fifty. He reached the milestone in 22 balls, but all hope for England was lost when he was bowled by Shepherd for 57 from 24 balls. He struck five sixes and three fours.
Shepherd ended with 3-59, while Pollard had 2-31. West Indies lead the five-match series 2-1. The fourth match bowls off on Saturday January 29 from 16:00h Eastern Caribbean time.