West Indies win first T-20 after England collapse

Dec 13: England let a dominant position slip as they fell to a four-wicket defeat by West Indies in the opening game of the T20 series in Bridgetown.

Captain Jos Buttler and Phil Salt took the tourists to 77-0 at the end of the powerplay and that became 112-2 at the halfway stage before England collapsed in the second half of the innings to be bowled out for 171.

Andre Russell, making his first West Indies appearance since November 2021, was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-19, while Romario Shepherd also impressed with figures of 2-22.

The Windies also made a flying start to their innings before being pegged back, with England leg-spinner Adil Rashid taking his 100th T20 international wicket in his 100th match.

After a brief delay for rain, Rehan Ahmed ramped up the pressure on the hosts with two wickets in two balls, only for West Indies to hit back again through the experienced pair of captain Rovman Powell and Russell.

With the required rate rising, Powell smacked Liam Livingstone for back-to-back sixes to put the home side back in the ascendency and, with Russell soon joining the fun, West Indies ruthlessly finished the job.

Powell ended unbeaten on 31 from 15 balls and Russell hit the winning runs with 11 balls to spare to finish 29 not out from 14.

The teams now head to Grenada for the second T20 on Thursday, with West Indies 1-0 up in the five-match series.

(BBC)