ENG VS WI 1ST T20I

Right then, that’s it from the 1st T20I of the 5-match series with West Indies winning it by 4 wickets. The actions keep coming thick and fast as the 2nd T20I will be played on 14th Dec 2023, 11 pm IST (5.30 pm GMT) between West Indies and England. You can join us an hour early for the build-up as well. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

The victorious skipper of West Indies Rovman Powell says that it's been a challenging performance. After the Powerplay, the team gathered up, and Andre Russell provided insights into the pitch behavior. The batters then executed the plan effectively. He further adds that he trusts himself and adapts his gameplay accordingly. Concludes with an acknowledgment that there is still room for improvement

The losing skipper of England Jos Buttler says that the pitch kept on getting harder and that was the reason why we collapsed in the second half of the first innings. Mentions that they look to keep moving and hit boundaries at every stage of the game and they will keep doing it but it just kept on getting harder today and they fell short by 25-30 runs in the end. Credits the Windies that their six-hitting ability was better on the day and that helped them eventually.

Andre Russell is the player of the match for his explosive batting and his lethal bowling performance. He is up for a quick chat and he says that's how it goes, quite funny. He further adds that since his selection for the West Indies team, he has been dreaming for two weeks. In those dreams, he envisioned himself as the man of the match, It was a good surface that needed the variations to make it difficult for the batters and they managed to do it well.

Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first, England started off sensationally with 77 for no loss after 6 but failed to maximize such a start as they kept losing wickets regularly with no batter going on to score big. The English innings came to a halt at 171 as they were bowled out with 3 deliveries remaining. The bowling from the Windies bowlers was spot on, Andre Russell and Alzarri Joseph picked up 3 each while, Romario Shepherd picked up a couple and the others chipped in with a wicket each.

The bowling from the visitors was not good to start with but the spinners did enter the scene and got a grip hold of things. Rehan Ahmed took 3 wickets and Adil Rashid picked up a couple while others chipped in with a wicket each. Tymal Mills went wicketless today.

Chasing down 171 the Windies innings started off on the front foot with them going hard at the bowlers in the powerplay. The side lost 1 wicket and scored 59 runs in the first six overs. Shai Hope kept the positive momentum flowing through the side but they lost 3 wickets in quick succession during the middle muddle right before the rain stoppage. The Windies lost a few wickets on either side of the rain delay but a late surge from Rovman Powell and Andre Russell helped the side home. The top-order batters did get some start but couldn't go big and it was in the end a key partnership of 49 runs from 22 deliveries that saw te side home.

A happy return to the Windies side for Andre Russell helps the Windies take the lead in this 5-match T20I series as they defeat England by 4 wickets.  This also happens to be the highest successful run chase at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

FOUR! GAME. SET. MATCH! Short and wide outside off. Russell stays back and slaps it hard to the deep backward point region for a cracking boundary to finish the game. West Indies win by 4 wickets and take a 1-0 lead in this series.

Too full and down the leg. Powell turns it straight to short fine leg.

Flatter on off. Russell nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! HAMMERED! Short and wide outside off. Russell goes back and powers it through the extra cover region for a cracking boundary.

Leg break outside off. Russell guides it to point.

SIX! CLOBBERED! Flighted full and at the stumps. Russell gets down on one knee and smacks it out of the park over the cow corner region for half a dozen.

Tossed up on off. Russell prods and blocks.