England [161/6] beat West Indies [160/8] by 4 wickets to lead the T20I series 1-0

[MenInG]

As this tour ticks over into three months, just three T20 internationals await before the visitors can finally go home after what has been a mixed and, ultimately, disappointing start to 2019. A 2-1 Test defeat, a 2-2 ODI draw. This T20I series, previously regarded as an afterthought, is now one they cannot lose, for ego's sake.

"Afterthought" is probably still the right word, too considering at present there is no plan to broadcast the second and third matches in the UK. When Sky Sports bought the rights for the tour, it featured just a solitary T20I. But Cricket West Indies looked to squeeze a bit of extra cash out of their visitors and later pegged two more on at the end. The board look likely to fold and let Sky have the rights for a fraction of the price. Let it be known - the game's greed will be the end of it.

Both sides are approaching the next week differently. West Indies, in announcing exactly the same squad as the ODIs, are looking to fine-tune their 50-over World cup squad. As such, Jason Holder has been announced as the new T20 captain, taking over from Carlos Brathwaite. Granted, the final XI may not be too different if they had gone with the many shortest-form specialists they have gracing the world stage given the number of injuries West Indies are having to deal with. Andre Russell, for example, will play no part in the series. His World Cup chances now look slim.

England, by contrast, sent a number of their ODI players home. As such, the likes of Joe Denly, Sam Billings, Dawid Malan David Willey have a chance to impress with Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali returning home.

Crucially though, Joe Root remains. It has been a couple of years since he has played in an overseas T20I for England and, after a disappointing stint with Sydney Thunder in the BBL, he is desperate for game time. He was irritated by sitting out of the Trans-Tasman Tri-Series last year, even if publicly he declared he was amenable to the time off after a hectic Ashes. It was no secret he was dismayed by being passed over in the 2018 IPL auction.

Of course, Root and others will have their sights set on the World Cup. But there is something longer-term to play for here. England have very specifically focussed on ODI cricket for the last four years at the expense of their T20 form, losing 14 of 31 matches and doing so arguably without ever playing their best XI players together in that period.

But in 18 months there is a world tournament in Australia, and players such as Billings and Malan will know the 15 of this summer's competition is beyond them. The T20 World Cup, however, is very much up for grabs.

When: Tuesday, March 5 at 4 PM (local), 8 PM (GMT), 1:30am (IST)

Where: Gros Islet, St Lucia

What to expect: The pitch is the same one that was used for the final ODI. For those unaware, that was very bouncy and carried through to the keeper nicely and Gayle's innings was more indicative of what could be achieved on it than England's (obviously). Given there were only 40.2 overs on it, it should play true.

Teams:

West Indies

Probable XI: Chris Gayle, John Campbell, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (c), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Devendra Bishoo

England

A shot in the dark, this XI. England say they will rotate those who have had plenty of cricket in the Test and one-day series. Conversely, those who have been carrying the drinks or just arrived will get a go.

Probable XI: Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Dawid Malan, Sam Billings, Eoin Morgan (c), Joe Denly, David Willey, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

What they said

"The guys that haven't played want to show what they can do and that's a massive driving point for us. It makes us a dangerous team that guys coming in want to prove a point." - Dawid Malan
Teams:
Windies (From): Chris Gayle, John Campbell, Shai Hope(w), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder(c), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Devendra Bishoo, Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen
England (From): Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow(w), Dawid Malan, Sam Billings, Eoin Morgan(c), Joe Denly, David Willey, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Sam Curran, Liam Plunkett, Joe Root

 

[Warrior868]

England will bowl first.

 

[Sadozai]

Very good inning by Pooran. This guy has the power game. That huge 111 meter six was a typical west Indian.

 

[jnaveen1980]

They have the talent. But they bowled absolute trash today. Especially the line was horrible. Most of them on the pads. THis is the problem with WI. THey play like millionaire one day. SUddenly indiscipline all over. Add to the fact couple of dropped chances. Several misfields. Lack of consistent display on the field is one reason why they won't get far in the world cup. If they CAN nobody can stop them getting to the semis.

 

[jnaveen1980]

One of those match where one team did its very best to make sure opposition win the match lol No matter how many come-back chances were offered by England, West indies refused to take it. What a poor quality cricket from West Indies

 

[giri26]

Bairstow, bowlers star in opening T20I win

England rode on Jonny Bairstow's 27-ball half-century and a strong bowling effort to begin the Twenty20 International leg of their West Indies tour with a four-wicket win.

Tom Curran picked up a career-best 4/36, while Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid were economical in taking 2/16 and 1/15 respectively. They kept an explosive West Indies line-up to 160/8 at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Tuesday, 5 March.

Ten sixes were hit in the Windies batting innings. Nicholas Pooran, in slamming 58 in 37 balls, offered the most significant warning of how destructive they could be. However, few batsmen built on their starts after their team was asked to bat, and the team couldn't back it up on the field.

Both Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope fell to Curran, while Chris Gayle was done in by a slow wide yorker from Jordan, all inside the Powerplay. Darren Bravo struggled against Rashid, and even Joe Denly kept him quiet, but Liam Plunkett went for runs at the other end as Bravo and Pooran added 64 runs for the fourth wicket.

Jordan got the breakthrough, taking a diving catch off his own bowling to send back Bravo for 28 off 30 balls. Pooran, though, was in fine touch – a reverse slog-sweep for six off Denly a particularly stunning shot – as he brought up his half-century in 32 deliveries. A yorker from Curran finally ended his innings, which by then had included three fours and four sixes.

Curran, Jordan and Rashid had, between them, sent down 34 dot balls in their 11 overs, and that made all the difference.

England lost Alex Hales and Joe Root inside the first three overs, but they'd already knocked off 33 of the runs required by then, and were 62/2 at the end of the Powerplay.

Bairstow did a bulk of the damage, his 68 off 40 balls including nine fours and two sixes. In his third-wicket stand of 51 with Eoin Morgan, the captain's contribution was all of eight runs.

Denly and Sam Billings added another useful half-century stand after Ashley Nurse had Bairstow caught at the ropes. When both set batsmen fell in quick succession in the space of four balls at the death, the hosts raised the spectre of another England batting collapse.

England though pulled through, and Jason Holder's men were left to rue the 23 extras they conceded.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1087484