In a match that saw 32 sixes, West Indies emerged triumphant by way of quickfire fifties from openers Shai Hope and Evin Lewis. England lead the five-game T20I series 3-1
Blazing half centuries from openers Shai Hope and Evin Lewis helped West Indies pull off a record 219-run chase in Gros Islet, as they beat England by five wickets in a six-hitting exhibition in the fourth T20I on Sunday (November 17, 2024). Hope made 54 from 24 balls and Lewis made 68 from 31 balls, with seven sixes and four fours, in a partnership which lasted only 9.1 overs but did more than half the job for the hosts. (More Cricket News)
The West Indies’ confident start was shaken when Lewis, Hope and Nicholas Pooran fell to consecutive balls in the 10th over. But captain Roston Chase put the innings back on track with 38 from 23 balls and Sherfane Rutherford competed the chase with successive sixes and an over to spare.
There were 32 sixes in the match, 16 from each team.
England had already clinched the five-match T20I series by winning the first three games, but the Windies can take pride from today's performance and will look to replicate that at the same venue for the fifth and final encounter.
England (Playing XI): Philip Salt(w), Will Jacks, Jos Buttler(c), Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, John Turner, Saqib Mahmood
West Indies (Playing XI): Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran(w), Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell(c), Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy
Explaining his decision to field, Rovman Powell said: "We are gonna bowl first, it looks like a good surface. Important to bowl well and get a good start. From a team's point of view it is better to lose the series 3-2 rather than losing it 5-0 or 4-1. We have two changes. Sherfane Rutherford comes in for Romario Shepherd and Obed McCoy comes in for Hinds. Shepherd has a tight groin. We have kept losing wickets in clusters. If the guys show good technical skills, that will be good. Today provides us an oppurtunity to correct that."
His opposite number, Jos Buttler said: "It has been a challenge for the team batting first throughout the series. But, it doesn't mean that if you win the toss, you win the game. One change for us - John Turner comes in for Jofra Archer. Our bowlers have bowled well in the series so far. Today presents a new challenge for us and we are up for it."
England Squad: Philip Salt(w), Will Jacks, Jos Buttler(c), Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Jordan Cox, John Turner, Jafer Chohan
West Indies Squad: Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran(w), Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell(c), Sherfane Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Terrance Hinds, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Shamar Springer, Romario Shepherd