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ENG beat WI by 4 wickets | West Indies vs England, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match - Commentary
England in West Indies, 3 T20I Series, 2019
Date: Mar 05, 2019 Start Time: 01:30 IST | 20:00 GMT | 16:00 LocalVenue: Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia
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West Indies vs England Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Match - T20I Commentary
161 to win for England. A look at their faces and it tells us that they believe that they can get this. But can they? The pitch has plenty of bounce and it may not be an easy run chase. But should be an exciting one. Stay tuned...
It was Tom Curran's day. He was at his best at the death, grabbing his maiden 4-fer in T20Is. But the pick of the bowlers was Adil Rashid, with a frugal 4-0-15-1. Curiously, Chris Jordan did not bowl his full quota of 4 overs, in spite of going for only 16 in his 3 overs and taking 2 scalps, which included a sensational caught and bowled of Bravo.
Special mention for Nicholas Pooran. A well-compiled knock of 58 from 37 balls, combining caution with aggression. He got good support from Bravo but nothing from the rest. Nice to see such maturity on young shoulders.
After being put in to bat, there were no fireworks from the Windies top order. Gayle, Hope and Hetmyer were dismissed in the Powerplay but then Bravo and Pooran stitched together a stand of 64. At that stage, it looked like 170 was on the cards. But Bravo's wicket turned the tide again with the home side losing its way before Pooran dragged the total past 150.
A competitive total posted by the Windies. The last 5 overs have yielded 58. At one stage, they did not even look like crossing 150. We are in for a contest.
Tom Curran to Jason Holder. OUT! Wicket of the last ball. Low full toss in line of the stumps, Jason swings but not with no real power. The ball goes towards long off where Billings takes an easy catch. Windies end with 160/8 after 20 overs.
Tom Curran to Ashley Nurse. BYES! Slower fuller ball outside off, Nurse swings but cannot make contact. They run of the byes. The keeper misses of at the striker's end and Curran misses at the other end. They complete the run.
Tom Curran to Ashley Nurse. FOUR! Innovation from Nurse. Curran bowls a faster one on the leg side. Nurse gets into position and paddles it fine to the fine leg boundary. 2 balls left, 11 from the over.
Tom Curran to Ashley Nurse. Fuller ball on off, Nurse swings. It goes off the inner half to deep square leg for a brace.
Tom Curran to Jason Holder. Short ball outside off, Holder swings but doesn't get it off the sweet spot. Falls to cow corner where they take one.
Tom Curran to Jason Holder. FOUR! Unfortunate. Nothing the bowler can do about it. An inch perfect yorker on the leg stump. The ball squeezes of the inside edge and runs away to the fine leg boundary.
Adil Rashid to Jason Holder. Full and around middle, AN has a wild heave and the ball goes of the inner half of the bat towards short fine leg. A single taken. Brilliant from Rashid - 4-0-15-1!
Adil Rashid to Ashley Nurse. Slower ball, outside off, fuller in length, pushed towards cover for one.
Adil Rashid to Ashley Nurse. Tossed up, outside off, another heave-ho missed.
Adil Rashid to Ashley Nurse. MISFIELD, FOUR! That is unfortunate for Tom Curran. Short and outside off, Nurse punches this through the covers. Curran runs to his right from the deep, gets to the ball but while bending to pick the ball up, his spikes get stuck in the ground! The ball goes through.
Adil Rashid to Ashley Nurse. WIDE. Too wide outside off, Ashley cannot connect with his mighty slog.
Adil Rashid to Jason Holder. Outside off, slogged towards wide long on for a run.
Adil Rashid to Ashley Nurse. Short and outside off, Nurse backs away and heaves. Only gets a top edge which does not even carry to mid off. No fielder there anyways. A single taken.
Adil Rashid to bowl out in the 19th. 3-0-6-1 so far.
Tom Curran to Ashley Nurse. Slower ball at 109 kph on the stumps, Nurse flicks it towards square leg and takes just one.
Tom Curran to Ashley Nurse. WIDE! Bouncer which is above head height. Another extra given.
Ashley Nurse walks in to bat at number 9, replacing Pooran.
Tom Curran to Nicholas Pooran. OUT! Cleans him up! You miss, I hit stuff from Curran who gets his third of the evening. Length ball on middle, Pooran swings but cannot get behind it. The ball makes a mess of the timber. A good innings from the southpaw comes to an end.
Tom Curran to Nicholas Pooran. In the air.. safe. Pooran gets low to slog it but the ball gets a top edge but falls safely towards mid-wicket. They come back for the second.
Tom Curran to Nicholas Pooran. Back of a length ball outside off, Pooran goes for the pull but connects with thin air.
Tom Curran to Nicholas Pooran. SIX! New ball please! Oh, boy! A 111 meter maximum. In the slot for Pooran who slogs this over mid-wicket for a huge, huge hit. The ball has been lost and the umpires call for a new one. This is Pooran's highest T20I sore now.
Tom Curran to Nicholas Pooran. Great comeback. Yorker on the stump, Pooran does well to get bat to it.
Tom Curran to Nicholas Pooran. Wide. Way wide outside off, easy decision for the umpire.
Tom Curran to bowl the 18th over. 2-0-14-2 so far.
Joe Denly to Nicholas Pooran. Full and on middle, pushed through mid on for a run. 15 runs from the over but the wicket of Allen as well.
The next man in is Jason Holder.
Joe Denly to Fabian Allen. OUT! Caught next ball. Cannot really blame the youngster as we are approaching the final stages of this innings. Full and outside off, Allen gives himself room to the leg side and looks to clear long off but only finds Chris Jordan with ease.
Joe Denly to Fabian Allen. SIX! Just over! Fabulous effort from Sam Billings. Full and outside off, Allen reaches out and plays the slog sweep. He does not get as high an elevation as he desired but just manages to clear a leaping Billings at the mid-wicket fence, who leaps and tries to parry the ball in airborne but in vain.
Joe Denly to Nicholas Pooran. Pushes this towards long on for a run.
Joe Denly to Nicholas Pooran. SIX! SLAM! That is an outrageous shot. Simply brilliant. Full and outside leg, Pooran gets into position early, changes grip and plays the switch hit, well over cover!
Joe Denly to Fabian Allen. Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
Big gamble. Joe Denly to bowl the 17th over. 2-0-13-0 so far.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. Two is the call again and Windies get it sans no fuss. Around off, tapped past point and takes two.
Liam Plunkett to Fabian Allen. Back of a length at 131kph. Hurries onto Allen who drags this to deep backward square leg to rotate strike.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. Bounce again on the off side, Pooran angles it towards third man for a run.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. Wide! Slow ball down the leg. Another wide from the Englishmen.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. Great running. Wanted the second as soon as he hit it and makes it easily. Length ball on middle and leg, Pooran gets it from the inside half towards long on. Shouts 'two' and makes it.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. Bouncer outside off, Pooran tries hooking it but fails.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. FOUR! Pooran continues on his merry way. Fuller ball on the off side, Pooran gets low and lofts this over mid off. No one in the deep and the ball gets past the ropes.
Liam Plunkett to bowl out.
Adil Rashid to Fabian Allen. Full and outside off, played straight to point. Spectacular over from Rashid - just a run and a wicket from it. Rashid's figures read 3-0-6-1!
Adil Rashid to Fabian Allen. Outside off, short in length, punched straight to point.
Fabian Allen enters the arena now, at number 7, replacing Brathwaite.
Adil Rashid to Carlos Brathwaite. OUT! Sharp catch from Jonny Bairstow! The persistence of Rashid pays off. He has been extremely frugal and eventually, has been rewarded. The googly, outside off, Brathwaite goes back to cut but is too close to the ball. Perhaps he did not pick that at all. Hence gets an outside edge but Bairstow behind takes a wonderful catch. Not even a fumble, in spite of standing so close. Another innings not worth remembering for the big man...
Adil Rashid to Carlos Brathwaite. Full and outside off, Brathwaite has a wild swing but misses.
Adil Rashid to Carlos Brathwaite. Outside off, driven straight to cover.
Adil Rashid to Nicholas Pooran. Full and around middle, Pooran unfurls the reverse sweep and gets it behind point for a single.
Adil Rashid returns. 2-0-5-0 so far.
Chris Jordan to Carlos Brathwaite. Brilliant over from Jordan. A wicket and 7 from it. Ends with 4 dots. Fuller ball on off, Brathwaite cannot get it past covers.
Chris Jordan to Carlos Brathwaite. On off, Brathwaite looks to cut it but gets another bottom edge.
Chris Jordan to Carlos Brathwaite. Length ball outside off, Carlos fails to put bat to ball.
Carlos Brathwaite is the new man in.
Chris Jordan to Darren Bravo. OUT! WHAT A CATCH! You have seen him taking blinders at the boundary, this one is off his own bowling. Great catch. Slower ball on the off side, Bravo looks to nudge it to the on side but gets a leading edge which comes back to the bowler. Jordon runs to his right, dives, sticks his right hand out and takes an one-handed stunner. Throws the ball in the air and celebrates. The 64-run stand is broken.
Chris Jordan to Darren Bravo. WIDE! Down leg again at 141kph. Wide given by the umpire.
Chris Jordan to Nicholas Pooran. Slower ball at 115kph on the stumps, Pooran pushes it past mid off to get the Windies total to 100.
Chris Jordan to Nicholas Pooran. Wide. Unusual bounce. Too high to worry the batsman! Wide signalled by the umpire.
Chris Jordan to Nicholas Pooran. FOUR! Just short of the ropes. Overpitched on off, Pooran clears his front leg and lofts this over mid off. No long off and the ball bounces just ahead of the boundary. Good start to the over.
Chris Jordon is back.
Joe Denly to Nicholas Pooran. Full and around off, pushed towards cover.
Joe Denly to Darren Bravo. Full and around middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a run. The crowd is not happy and is jeering. It wanted the second run to be taken.
Joe Denly to Darren Bravo. Huge shout for LBW! Turned down! Well, no review taken. This looked very, very close. Denly tossed this up on middle and Bravo, looking to flick missed and was hit right in front of the stumps. Denly appealed but the umpire turned it down. Now, the bowler asked the keeper something and it would be interesting to see what Bairstow replied. Looked to be plumb in the first replay.
Joe Denly to Darren Bravo. Around leg stump, Bravo misses his tuck and is hit on the pads. A mild LBW appeal ensues but nothing in it.
Joe Denly to Darren Bravo. Outside off, chopped straight to backward point.
Joe Denly to Darren Bravo. WIDE. Tossed up, but outside leg. Bravo misses his flick.
Joe Denly to Nicholas Pooran. Down the leg side, nicely paddled to short fine leg for a single.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. SIX. HUGE! Off she goes. Gets behind this short ball and pulls this high over the mid-wicket boundary. Second maximum off the over. 14 runs from the over. A good one for the hosts.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. Bounce! Good ball from Liam. Back of a length again on middle, shoots up suddenly which catches Bravo by surprise. The ball falls in front of him.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. No timing. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Pooran goes for the pull but gets a bottom edge which goes towards square leg. They manage to take one.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. Bowls it slower on the stumps, Pooran looks to push it past mid off for one but cannot.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. SIX! Clobbered away! Short ball on the off, Pooran comes down and slaps it over long on for half a dozen.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. Back of a length ball down the leg side, Bravo helps it to fine leg to get to the other end.
Joe Denly to Nicholas Pooran. Around middle, pushed back to the bowler. Good finish from Denly after going for six on the third ball.
Joe Denly to Darren Bravo. Full and around middle, flicked towards deep mid-wicket, calls for two but settles for one.
Joe Denly to Nicholas Pooran. Down the leg side, swept powerfully towards deep backward square leg for a run.
Joe Denly to Nicholas Pooran. SIX! PUMMELLED! That is enormous. Flighted outside off, Pooran gets underneath that one and sends it sailing over long off!
Joe Denly to Darren Bravo. Fuller around middle, pushed towards long on for a single.
Joe Denly to Darren Bravo. Outside off, punched straight to point.
Joe Denly into the attack.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. Great fielding. Billings is the man in the deep. Short ball pulled away towards deep square leg. Billings runs to his left and pulls it inside just near the ropes. Denly throws it back in and keeps it to two. 14 from the over!
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. On the pads, turned away through square leg for one. 12 runs from the over, one ball left.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. Outside off, Bravo cannot get it past point.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. SIX! Finally one off the screws. The previous overs were tight with runs not coming at ease, this six should release some pressure. Fuller ball on off, Bravo smokes this over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. Around the stumps, Bravo defends this from within the crease.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. Wide! This one keeps low. Down the leg side, wide given by the umpire.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. FOUR! Off the bat. Short ball on the body. Bravo looks to get away from it but the ball hits his bat and goes over the keeper to the fine leg boundary.
Adil Rashid to Nicholas Pooran. A googly to finish. Pitched outside leg, Nicholas lunges to defend but the ball pitches and whizzes past the outside edge.
Adil Rashid to Darren Bravo. Full on middle, Bravo gets down and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a run.
Adil Rashid to Darren Bravo. Short and around off, cut straight to backward point.
Adil Rashid to Nicholas Pooran. Short and outside off, cut through the covers for a single.
Adil Rashid to Nicholas Pooran. Beautiful bowling. Tossed up, outside off, Pooran lunges to defend but is beaten by the away turn. Bairstow collects and whips off the bails, appeals but the square leg umpire is unmoved. Replays show that the foot never left the crease.
Adil Rashid to Nicholas Pooran. Around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. Wanted two but will have to settle for one. Outside off, Pooran guides it towards third man. Wanted the second but the ball was hit hard to the man stationed there.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. On the legs of Bravo who plays it wide of the bowler. Plunkett runs towards the ball but cannot prevent the single.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. On the leg side again, Pooran taps it towards square leg and takes a quick run.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Liam Plunkett to Nicholas Pooran. On the pads, Pooran tucks it around for nothing.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. Around off, Bravo taps it past the point region for a single.
Liam Plunkett to Darren Bravo. WIDE! Back of a length ball down the leg side. Bravo covers his stumps and leaves it alone.
Liam Plunkett to bowl now.
Adil Rashid to Darren Bravo. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Adil Rashid to Nicholas Pooran. The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Adil Rashid to Darren Bravo. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Adil Rashid to Darren Bravo. Outside off, Bravo looks to cut but misses.
Adil Rashid to Darren Bravo. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Adil Rashid to Darren Bravo. Down the leg side, Bravo misses his flick and is hit on the pads.
Adil Rashid into the attack.
Chris Jordan to Nicholas Pooran. FOUR! Fine end to the over and Powerplay. A short ball, around middle, Pooran rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary! 43/3 in the Powerplay.
Chris Jordan to Darren Bravo. Played straight to point.
Chris Jordan to Darren Bravo. Tucked through fine leg for a single.
Chris Jordan to Darren Bravo. A short ball, around off, solidly kept out.
Chris Jordan to Darren Bravo. Outside off, a play and a miss.
Chris Jordan to Nicholas Pooran. Full and outside off, squeezed through point for a single.
Nicholas Pooran walks in at number 5, replacing Hetmyer.
Tom Curran to Shimron Hetmyer. OUT! Caught! It is not a no ball and Hetmyer is out of here. A dipping full toss, Hetmyer backs away and looks to go over the leg side but only miscues it as long as mid on. Simple catch for Liam Plunkett. They check for the no ball but replays find that the height is fine.
Caught? Or no? No ball for height? Hetmyer has been caught but the umpires are checking for a waist-high no ball...
Tom Curran to Shimron Hetmyer. Outside off, a swing and a miss.
Tom Curran to Shimron Hetmyer. FOUR! Off the top edge. A short ball, Hetmyer swings hard and gets a top edge over the keeper to the fine leg fence.
Tom Curran to Darren Bravo. A short ball, Bravo looks to pull but mistimes it towards short mid-wicket for a run.
Tom Curran to Darren Bravo. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
Tom Curran to Shimron Hetmyer. Backs away and steers this through the covers for a single.
Darren Bravo walks in at number 4, replacing Gayle.
Chris Jordan to Chris Gayle. OUT! Straight to the man! Would you believe it? Gayle is gone! Wow. A nothing delivery. Full and outside off, pretty wide. Chris backs away and looks to slice it away but he actually takes it on the full, hitting it straight to Adil Rashid at short third man! Bonus wicket for England. Gayle does not give any reaction while England have plenty to express.
Chris Jordan to Shimron Hetmyer. A length ball now, around middle, Shimron plays an ugly hoick towards mid off and crosses over. The fielder misfields and Shimron wants the second but Gayle is not the least bit interested.
Chris Jordan to Shimron Hetmyer. Excellent delivery. A slower ball yorker, around off, Hetmyer swings hard but gets a thick inside edge towards short fine leg.
Chris Jordan to Chris Gayle. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Chris Jordan to Chris Gayle. A bouncer, on middle, Gayle ducks.
Chris Jordan to Shimron Hetmyer. Full and around middle, Hetmyer slogs it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Chris Jordan into the attack now.
David Willey to Chris Gayle. SIX! No placement, pure power! A length ball, on middle, Gayle just whips it over mid-wicket and the ball travels. 15 from the over, the Windies are up and running.
David Willey to Shimron Hetmyer. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
David Willey to Chris Gayle. Excellent comeback, fires in a yorker on middle, Chris just about jams it out towards the leg side for a single.
David Willey to Chris Gayle. SIX! Superb shot. A short ball, outside off, Gayle gives himself room to the leg side and slashes it over short third man. The ball goes all the way! This is now the 104th SIX for Gayle in T20Is, the MOST BY ANY!
David Willey to Chris Gayle. The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.
David Willey to Chris Gayle. Whoa! That is some audacious shot. Walks down the track and swings hard but misses.
David Willey to Chris Gayle. WIDE. Full and wide outside off, a slash and a miss from Gayle.
Tom Curran to Shimron Hetmyer. SIX! First of many. Overpitched on the stumps, Hetmyer gets under it and lofts this handsomely over the long on area for a biggie. 8 runs and a wicket from this.
Tom Curran to Shimron Hetmyer. Length ball on off, Hetmyer gets a leading which goes to the point fielder.
Tom Curran to Shimron Hetmyer. On the pads again, Hetmyer misses his flick and gets hit on his thigh pad.
Shimron Hetmyer is in at number 3.
Tom Curran to Shai Hope. OUT! This time Hope holes out and England hold on to the catch. Hope doesn't make full use of his life and Adil Rashid will be breathing a sign of relief. Length ball on the pads, Hope looks to flick this away. Gets a top edge to it which flies towards mid-wicket. Curran gets under it and makes no mistake. Early wicket for the visitors.
Tom Curran to Chris Gayle. Gayle is off the mark. Not with a boundary but with a single. Taps this with soft hands to the on side and gets to the other end.
Tom Curran to Shai Hope. Around off, Hope runs it down to the third man region.
Tom Curran to bowl from the other end.
David Willey to Chris Gayle. Length this time outside off, Gayle leaves the third ball in a row. Getting his eye in, is the Universal Boss.
David Willey to Chris Gayle. Fuller this time outside off, Gayle doesn't go after it.
David Willey to Chris Gayle. Length ball outside off, Gayle shoulders his arms to it.
David Willey to Shai Hope. DROPPED! Oh boy, Adil Rashid has dropped a catch. Fuller length outside off again. Hope goes after it and the ball flies to the third man region. Rashid who looked settled under it failed to hold on. The batsmen cross.
David Willey to Shai Hope. Swing and a miss. Fuller ball outside off angling away. Hope goes after it but connects with thin air.
David Willey to Shai Hope. FOUR! What a start for the Windies. Not the best off balls to begin with. Down the leg side on the pads. All Hope does was flicked it away to the fine leg boundary.
The players are out in the baking sun. The visitors walk out in their red kit. Chris Gayle and Shai Hope will open for the Men in Maroon. Davis Willey will bowl the first over of the game. A slip in place for Hope.
Jason Holder the Windies captain says that he is not too sad batting bat first. Says the pitch will remain the same. On his captaincy, he says that it is a new for him in this format.
Eoin Morgan the England skipper says he will bowl first and hopes they restrict the Windies to a total that they can chase.
Team news - Sam Billings, Joe Denly and David Willey come in for the tourists. For the hosts, Fabien Allen and Nicholas Pooran make the playing XI.
TOSS - Morgan wins the coin toss and opts to chase.
If you thought England would steamroll the Windies in the Test series, you got your answer. If you thought the number one ranked side would outplay the number nine ranked side, you were wrong. Now the Windies enter their most favored and preferred format. The T20Is. What a chance for the hosts to end this long, long tour on a high. If the Three Lions thought this series was a waste, they got their reality check. Many players missing for the shortest format of this series and it will be interesting to see how they go about their game. They play in the same venue where the last ODI was played. It's bright and sunny in St. Lucia as the toss and team news awaits us.
That is it from this game. Easy peasy for England, which actually comes as a surprise. It is they who have the weaker squad but have come out trumps effortlessly. On the other hand, the first thing the Windies will address in their team meeting is their fielding. Maybe it was lights, maybe it was the wind but the catching was ordinary. The final two matches of the tour will be played at St. Kitts with the second T20I scheduled on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 1600 local (2000 GMT). 2-0 or 1-1? Join us to find out. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious England skipper, Eoin Morgan, says that this is the sort of win that his team has been aiming for, right from the first game of the tour. Praises Adil Rashid for tieing down the Windies in the middle overs. Has another praise for Chris Jordan and is impressed with his calmness in the Powerplay. Is very clear about not giving Jordan the 20th over as he felt that Nicholas Pooran would find it difficult to pick the slower balls of Tom Curran.
JONNY BAIRSTOW HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Says that it was great fun to play with freedom and get some runs at the top of the order. Adds that the absence of some of the players helped him a touch with no one there to challenge his spot. On his keeping in this game, Bairstow says that it felt refreshing after the gloves were taken away from him in the Tests and ODIs.
Windies captain, Jason Holder, says that the Windies were scrappy in the field. Feels that the wicket was two-paced and batting was difficult but the bowling let them down. Admits that the wind was another factor in this game which went against his team but backs his side to bounce back in the next match. Is happy for Nicholas Pooran for his innings in this game.
Earlier, a Nicholas Pooran special took the hosts to 160/8 - a competitive score at the halfway mark. Given that they lost their top three in the Powerplay, it was a decent effort. Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan tied them down and Tom Curran reaped the fruits of their efforts, finishing with a 4-fer. Please do stay tuned for the presentation...
160 could have been defended but was not defended. The bowling was carted but the Windies did come back nicely in the middle. Sheldon Cottrell continued his good form and took 3 wickets while Nurse and Holder kept it tight in the middle overs. But 4 dropped catches - 2 of Bairstow, 1 of Hales and 1 of Billings were what hurt the home side.
Good outing for Jonny Bairstow who got his highest T20I score and second international fifty in the span of three innings, slowly getting back to his form. He ensured that the Windies did not have a chance at all, though he offered two chances - both grassed. Joe Denly blossomed in his presence and helped himself to his highest score in this format as well.
The first over of the run chase set the tone. Hales went after Cottrell going for 4 and a 6 on the first 2 balls and even though the bowler got his revenge soon, that 17-run opening over set the base. England kept going hard at the bowling, as is their norm and with 62/2 in the Powerplay, needing another 99, victory seemed assured.
A little bit of drama towards the end but a comfortable victory for England nevertheless. They were largely untroubled in the chase of 161 and have taken the first step ahead in this 3-match T20I series. But who knows - with a bit of better fielding, the Windies might have won.
Sheldon Cottrell to Tom Curran. That is the match! Short ball outside off, Curran pulls it over the mid-wicket region. The ball races to the fence but they complete the run before that. England win by 4 wickets with 7 balls to spare.
Sheldon Cottrell to David Willey. Nudges this through mid-wicket to get to the other end. Scores are level.
Sheldon Cottrell to David Willey. FOUR BYES! This has taken the wind out of this game. Short ball down the leg side. Willey looks to hook but misses. Hope behind jumps but the ball touches his glove and goes to the fine leg boundary. Just two more needed now.
Sheldon Cottrell to Tom Curran. Outside off, punched through cover off the back foot for a single. England are just a hit away.
Tom Curran walks in at number 8, replacing Billings.
Sheldon Cottrell to Sam Billings. OUT! Bowled 'em! Could there be a surprise for us? Sheldon back into the attack and gets a wicket off his first bowl. Rolls his finger to this one and serves it on middle. Billings is early in his slog and cannot get bat to it. The furniture behind is disturbed and out comes the military celebration.
Sheldon Cottrell to bowl his final over. England need 7.
Jason Holder to David Willey. Played to the point region by Willey. No run taken.
Jason Holder to Sam Billings. DROPPED! Oh dear, that would have been interesting. Short ball again on off, Billings pulls but the ball goes towards deep backward square leg. Thomas runs but goes with just his left hand for the catch and fails to hold on. They change ends. England would have had two new batsmen to complete the task.
David Willey walks in at number 7, replacing Denly.
Jason Holder to Joe Denly. OUT! A wicket against the run of play. Short ball on the leg side, Denly looking for a maximum on the on side doesn't get hold of it. The ball goes in hands of Pooran at deep square leg who takes it easily. Is this come too late?
Jason Holder to Joe Denly. Down the leg side, Denly tries to pull but cannot get bat to it.
Jason Holder to Sam Billings. Bounce! Outside off, Billings is caught by surprise and gets hit high on the bat. The ball goes to the off side where they take a single.
Jason Holder to Joe Denly. Full toss on the pads, worked away through mid-wicket for one.
Carlos Brathwaite to Joe Denly. On a good length around off, nipping back in, Denly misses his flick and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls to the off side and a single is taken, leg bye signalled.
Carlos Brathwaite to Joe Denly. The batsman appears to have been struck on the thigh pad. Leg byes signalled by the umpire. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Carlos Brathwaite to Sam Billings. Short ball, Sam mistimes his pull through mid on for a run.
Carlos Brathwaite to Sam Billings. A low full toss outside off, eased wide of cover for a couple.
Carlos Brathwaite to Sam Billings. ANOTHER WIDE! Full and outside off, this time Billings reaches out to drive but misses.
Carlos Brathwaite to Sam Billings. WIDE. Well outside the wide guideline, outside off, left alone.
Carlos Brathwaite to Joe Denly. Very full outside off, almost a yorker, squeezed through the covers for a run. The stand moves to 40 from 28 balls.
Carlos Brathwaite to Sam Billings. Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single. 19 needed from 23 balls now.
Carlos Brathwaite is asked to bowl.
Jason Holder to Sam Billings. Billings taps this to the off side and is happy with the single. 20 needed from 4 overs for the visitors.
Jason Holder to Joe Denly. Great yorker. Denly plays it to the on side and takes one.
Jason Holder to Joe Denly. FOUR! Not elegant bu effective. Short again, Denly shows all his three stumps and goes for a forehand tennis smash. The ball goes over the bowler's head to the long off boundary.
Jason Holder to Joe Denly. Short ball on leg, Denly attempts to hook that one but fails to make contact.
Jason Holder to Joe Denly. Outside off, Denly gives room and slaps it to extra cover. They get the second comfortably.
Jason Holder to Joe Denly. Awkward bounce. Back of a length ball outside off, Denly goes for the pull but the ball keeps way too low and goes to the keeper.
Jason Holder to bowl the 16th over.
Sheldon Cottrell to Sam Billings. MISFIELD, FOUR! Cottrell is not happy. On a length, outside off, Billings opens the face of the bat and steers it behind point. The ball races away but Oshane Thomas gets to it from third man. However, when he tries to get down and stop, he tumbles and the ball deflects off his body to the fence.
Sheldon Cottrell to Joe Denly. Outside off, Denky opens the face of the bat and steers it to third man for a run.
Sheldon Cottrell to Joe Denly. Outside off, another play and a miss.
Sheldon Cottrell to Joe Denly. FOUR! Nicely timed. Short and outside off, Denly punches it behind point and gets a boundary.
Sheldon Cottrell to Joe Denly. Outside off, Denly flashes a cut but misses.
Sheldon Cottrell to Sam Billings. The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. They pick up a single.
Sheldon Cottrell to Sam Billings. WIDE. Slips this down the leg side, Billings misses his flick.
Sheldon Cottrell is back on. 2-0-15-2 so far.
Ashley Nurse to Sam Billings. Half tracker on leg, Billings doesn't go after it. He decides to play it through mid-wicket for a single. Nurse ends with figures of 4-0-32-1.
Ashley Nurse to Joe Denly. Played through mid-wicket by Denly. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ashley Nurse to Joe Denly. FOUR! Just as the pressure was building Denly gets a boundary. Steps out of his crease and flicks this over square leg to the fence.
Ashley Nurse to Joe Denly. On middle, Billings uses his feet but hits it back to the bowler.
Ashley Nurse to Sam Billings. On middle and leg again, Billings comes forward and pushes it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Ashley Nurse to Joe Denly. Fuller ball on middle and leg, pushed to long on. They jog to complete the run.
Fabian Allen to Sam Billings. Full and around off, watchfully punched back to the bowler.
Fabian Allen to Sam Billings. Comes down the track, gets to the pitch and works it with soft hands through mid-wicket. Runs hard to return for the second. The stand moves to 11 from 8 deliveries.
Fabian Allen to Joe Denly. Landed outside off, Joe drives it in front of point for a run. 49 more needed from 44 balls. Denly moves to 10 from 10.
Fabian Allen to Joe Denly. FOUR! MAJESTIC! Just a little overpitched and pounced upon. Outside off, Denly reaches out and drives it through the covers for a boundary!
Fabian Allen to Sam Billings. Short and outside off, placed past cover for a single.
Fabian Allen to Sam Billings. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Fabian Allen for the first time this evening.
Ashley Nurse to Joe Denly. Ashley Nurse gets away with one. Short ball down leg, Denly pulls it but Thomas at short fine leg dives to his left and makes a good stop. They take two. Oshane saves two for his side.
Ashley Nurse to Joe Denly. Flighted ball on middle, Denly cannot get it past covers.
Ashley Nurse to Sam Billings. Fuller ball on off, slog swept through mid-wicket for a single.
Sam Billings comes in at number 6, replacing Bairstow. Two new batsmen in the middle.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! The wicket that Windies desperately needed. Jonny Bairstow holes out but a classic innings comes to an end. Tossed up ball on middle, Bairstow gets low to slog but gets it off the toe end. The ball doesn't have the legs to clear the mid-wicket boundary and Brathwaite at the ropes takes it at a good height. 58 needed from 51 needed.
Ashley Nurse to Joe Denly. On top of the stumps, hit on the up to extra cover to rotate strike.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. A bit short on off, flat-batted to long off. They cross.
Carlos Brathwaite to Joe Denly. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. On a length outside off, JB runs it down straight to third man, sees that the fielder is taking it lightly, not attacking the ball and charges for the second. Not appreciable at all from the Windies. This is Bairstow's highest T20I total.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! That is a gift from Brathwaite, wrapped in a bow-tie and presented to Bairstow, wishing, 'Merry Christmas!' A full toss outside off, Jonny reaches out and drives it behind point for the second boundary in three balls.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, pretty full, almost a yorker, Jonny looks to squeeze it out but misses. The keeper and bowler appeal but in vain.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! Good start to the over for England. Full and outside off, Bairstow leans and drives it behind point for a boundary! 67 more needed from 59 balls now.
Ashley Nurse to Joe Denly. Comes down the track but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. Is hit on the pads.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. Action replay of the previous delivery.
Ashley Nurse to Joe Denly. The batsman has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. Works it down to fine leg for a single.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. IN THE AIR BUT DROPPED! Oh dear... this was a golden chance for the Windies to come back into this game. This wicket would have meant two new batsmen in the middle. Too casual an attitude from Cottrell. Full and around off, Bairstow comes down the track and looks to go over the top but miscues it big time. It is a massive top edge but a relatively simple chance for Sheldon Cottrell at long off. He comes running in but simply shells it down. Two runs taken.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. Full and outside off, Bairstow looks to push but misses.
Ashley Nurse is back on. 1-0-14-0 so far.
Carlos Brathwaite to Joe Denly. The batsman gets a leading edge on that one.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. Full and wide outside off, driven through point for a run.
Carlos Brathwaite to Joe Denly. Outside off, punched away for a single.
Joe Denly walks in next.
Carlos Brathwaite to Eoin Morgan. OUT! Short and caught! Do the Windies still have a chance? Morgan was struggling with the bounce on this wicket and it has cost him his wicket. Dug in outside off, the skipper jumps a couple of feet in the air and tries the pull but finds Chris Gayle at short mid-wicket. Simple catch and the 51-run stand is broken. England need just 78 from 69 balls with 7 wickets in hand.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. Fullish, around middle, whipped through mid-wicket for a single.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. SIX! That is another good shot from Jonny Bairstow. Reaches his half century as well and brings up the 50-run stand too! Full and outside off, Bairstow reaches out and lofts it over mid off and clears the ropes comfortably! 79 more needed from 71 balls now.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow has worked it off his pads behind square. They pick up a single. More 85 needed in 72 balls.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. Bouncer on leg, Bairstow ducks to evade it. No wide given.
Jason Holder to Eoin Morgan. Quick run and Brathwaite fails to hit the target. Direct hit would have got him. Fuller ball on middle, Morgan pushes it to mid off and sets off. Carlos Brathwaite misses at the non-striker's end. Even a dive wouldn't have saved the skipper.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. Similar ball, short on the body. Jonny stays inside, pulls but this time gets it to square leg to get off strike.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Beats the man at 45 and runs away to the boundary. Short ball on the hips, Bairstow swivels and gets a bottom edge to this which runs fine to the boundary.
Jason Holder to Eoin Morgan. Short ball outside off, Morgan slaps it to deep covers for one.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. EDGED, DROPPED FOUR! Great effort from Shai Hope. Full and outside off, Bairstow looks to drive but the ball moves away late and takes the outside edge. Hope initially moves to his left but then has to move to his right. Throws himself full stretch but can only get a glove to it. The ball races towards third man where Oshane Thomas lumbers to his left but cannot quite cut it off.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. Down the leg side, Bairstow misses his flick. The umpire does not signal a wide and Jonny is not happy. He reckons that he got nothing on it. Replays indicate a sound and that must be ball hitting the pad.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. Outside off, punched towards mid off.
Carlos Brathwaite to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, Morgan runs this down to third man for a run.
Carlos Brathwaite to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, on a length, Morgan plays inside the line and is beaten.
Carlos Brathwaite to Jonny Bairstow. Full and wide outside off, Bairstow reaches out and slaps it over covers. Nicholas Pooran runs to his right and dives to stop the ball. Just a single.
Carlos Brathwaite into the attack now.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. Fuller ball on the stumps, kept out to the on side. Bairstow will retain strike.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. Wide! The umpires are busy. Another ball down the leg side. Easy decision.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. Over the stumps, Bairstow makes room to run it down but fails to get behind the ball.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. Wide. An attempted bouncer which was well over head height. The umpire signals a wide.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. SAFE! Length ball around off. Bairstow gets a top edge towards the backward point region. Allen runs towards it but never quite got there. They collect a brace.
Jason Holder to Eoin Morgan. Pushed to the cover region by Morgan. They pick up a quick single.
Jason Holder to Eoin Morgan. Short ball outside off, Morgan jumps to upper cut it but cannot make contact.
Jason Holder to Jonny Bairstow. Length ball around the leg side. Bairstow looks to pull it but it goes off his thigh pad towards short third man. They manage to collect a single. Run given, perhaps got an inside edge on it.
Jason Holder to bowl his first over.
Oshane Thomas to Eoin Morgan. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.
Oshane Thomas to Eoin Morgan. Outside off, played straight to point.
Oshane Thomas to Eoin Morgan. FOUR BYES! Trying too hard, is Thomas. A short ball, outside off, Morgan leaps and attempts the upper cut but misses. Unluckily for the bowler, the keeper Shai Hope misses too, with a lion-hearted leap. The ball races down to the fence.
Oshane Thomas to Eoin Morgan. On middle and leg, watchfully pushed towards mid on.
Oshane Thomas to Eoin Morgan. Short and outside off, Eoin slashes hard but misses.
Oshane Thomas to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Cracking shot. 50 UP FOR ENGLAND in the 5th over. 110 more needed now, from 95 balls. Short and outside off, Morgan reaches out and crunches it through the covers for a boundary!
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. SIX! Just a flick and away she goes. Fuller ball on the leg stump. Bairstow nonchalantly flicks this over the long on fence to end the over with a biggie. 10 from the last 2 balls and 14 from the over.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Edge and away to the boundary. Off spinner on off, Bairstow gets an outside edge trying to cut it. It goes fine to the third man fence. Gayle jogs behind it and there was only going to be one winner.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. Gets behind this one and keeps it out.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! All easy for Jonny this. A tad short outside off, Bairstow stays planted in his crease and caresses it through covers for a boundary.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. Over the stumps, Bairstow gives room but cuts it to the man at point.
Ashley Nurse to Jonny Bairstow. Arm ball on middle and leg, turned away to the on side.
Ashley Nurse to roll his arm over.
Sheldon Cottrell to Eoin Morgan. Really opened him up there, pitching around middle and then shaping it away. A squared up Morgan defended it towards cover. Just 2 runs and a wicket from the over, Cottrell's figures read 2-0-15-2!
Sheldon Cottrell to Eoin Morgan. WIDE. Short and wide outside off, Morgan is up in the air, trying to cut that one but misses.
Sheldon Cottrell to Eoin Morgan. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Sheldon Cottrell to Eoin Morgan. Full and outside off, left alone.
Eoin Morgan walks in at number 4, replacing Root.
Sheldon Cottrell to Joe Root. OUT! LBW! Umpire's call in terms of height and Root has to go! England do not lose a review though. Joe shuffled across his stumps and Cottrell pitched that in line of the stumps. But the batsman missed his flick and was hit on the pads. The bowler appealed, the umpire thought for a while and then raised his finger. Root immediately signalled for the review and Hawk Eye showed it to be pitching just around leg and only clipping the top of the bail! How close was that? England have lost 2 in quick succession. 129 more needed from 105 balls.
Root's gone LBW! But he wants it reviewed. Was height the factor?
Sheldon Cottrell to Joe Root. Full and around off, Root looks to drive but is comprehensively beaten by the outswing.
Sheldon Cottrell to Jonny Bairstow. Full and around middle and leg, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.
Oshane Thomas to Jonny Bairstow. Finally Hetmyer fields! Full and down the leg side, flicked straight to deep backward square leg for a single. 14 from the over, 31 from the first 2!
Oshane Thomas to Jonny Bairstow. Full and around off, pushed straight to cover.
Oshane Thomas to Jonny Bairstow. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Oshane Thomas to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Excellent batting but where does Shimron Hetmyer go? 1.1 - runs to his right. 1.2 - runs to his left. 1.3 - runs to his right again! And does not get even close to the ball on any occasion. Full and down the leg side, Bairstow flicks it through square leg and gets a hat-trick of boundaries!
Oshane Thomas to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! This is a wonderful shot. Mid-wicket was moved to his right in after the previous hit but Bairstow is just too good. Flicks it in front of square and gets it through mid-wicket!
Oshane Thomas to Jonny Bairstow. FOUR! Easy runs. Fine leg up and the ball is a half volley down the leg side. Bairstow flicks it past short fine leg towards the backward square leg fence. 139 more needed from 113 balls.
Oshane Thomas to Jonny Bairstow. WIDE. Full and down the leg side, Bairstow misses his flick.
Joe Root walks in at number 3, replacing Hales. Oshane Thomas to bowl from the other end.
Sheldon Cottrell to Alex Hales. OUT! Cleans him up and Cottrell gets his man. He was taken for runs in the first 3 balls, almost gets him caught and now rattles the stumps behind. Length ball in line of the stumps, a little bit of inward movement. Hales gives room but fails to make contact with the ball. It goes and crashes into the stumps and out comes the celebration. England still manage 17 from the over though.
Sheldon Cottrell to Alex Hales. Wide! Down the leg side, first wide of the innings.
Sheldon Cottrell to Jonny Bairstow. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Sheldon Cottrell to Alex Hales. DROPPED! Tough chance but Brathwaite will not be happy as he had it in for most of the time. Length ball on the leg pole. Hales chips it towards mid on. Carlos runs to the ball, dives, gets his hands to it but the ball falls off while he was landing. They cross.
Sheldon Cottrell to Alex Hales. FOUR Leg byes! It's getting from bad to worse for the hosts. Length on the pads, Hales gets it off his thigh pad. The ball goes below the hands of the keeper and into the fine leg fence. Make it 14 from 3.
Sheldon Cottrell to Alex Hales. FOUR! Sheldon goes short again on the leg side, this time Hales helps it fine to the fine leg boundary. 10 runs off the first 2 balls. Great start.
Sheldon Cottrell to Alex Hales. SIX! Is there a better start? Short ball on the leg side, Hales stands inside the crease and pulls this over the square leg boundary to begin the innings with a biggie.
We are back for the chase. Sheldon Cottrell will open for the Windies while Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow have come out for the visitors.