In a thrilling series-decider, the West Indies showcased their T20 prowess against England. The hosts clinched the series against England with a nail-biting four-wicket victory in the fifth and final T20I held in Trinidad on Thursday.
The victory marked the third consecutive T20I series win for the West Indies, a remarkable resurgence following triumphs against South Africa and India earlier in 2023. The momentum bodes well for the Caribbean side as they gear up for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted with the USA.
Thursday’s showdown, a low-scoring encounter, saw England post a total of 132 after being put into bat. The West Indies faced a tense chase, ultimately securing victory with just four balls to spare, concluding the series with a 3-2 result.
Shai Hope emerged as the hero of the day, playing an unbeaten inning of 43 that guided the WI to a hard-fought win. England’s innings struggled to gain momentum, with slow left-armer Gudakesh Motie delivering a stellar performance for West Indies, claiming career-best T20I figures of 3-24.
England struggle against West Indies
Despite Phil Salt’s noteworthy contribution of 38 runs, the English side failed to replicate their earlier successes in the series. Reece Topley and Adil Rashid’s impressive spells kept the WI in check, and Sam Curran’s exceptional penultimate over added a layer of suspense. However, Shai Hope’s six in the final over sealed the deal for the West Indies, culminating in a series victory.
Playing on the same pitch where they set a record 267 in the fourth T20, England struggled to find their rhythm, facing a more consistent WI attack.
The tourists lost their last five wickets for just 11 runs, concluding a challenging year with a disappointing end to the white-ball campaigns.
Gudakesh Motie, the West Indies spinner, earned the Player of the Match accolade for his three crucial wickets, while England’s Phil Salt, with two centuries and 331 runs, was honored with the Player of the Series award. The West Indies now celebrate their T20 triumph, setting a positive tone for the upcoming cricketing endeavours in 2024.
