England in West Indies, 5 T20I Series, 2023 |5th T20I |12/21/2023 Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
Commentary
Right then, that's it from us for this game and this fascinating series. Rovman Powell collects the trophy and joins his teammates. All smiles in the West Indies camp as they pose for pictures with the trophy. Both sides will have a bit of a break before they shift their focus to the next assignment. England head to India for a five-match Test series while West Indies will travel to Australia for a two-match Test series. We will have you covered for those matches. Until then, take care and cheers!
Rovman Powell, the winning skipper of West Indies lauds the crowd for turning up and supporting them. Adds that they kept losing wickets at key times but were confident with Shai Hope in the middle. Credits the groundsmen for producing very good wickets across the Caribbean. Shares that he is glad to have a good mix of youth and experienced players in his side. Ends by sharing that he has a good bunch of guys in the team and he hopes to lead from the front.
England's skipper Jos Buttler says that the conditions were different. He adds that a bit more runs in the bag would have helped them defend the target. States that he is happy that they hung in there. Mentions that it has been a brilliant series. He also says that they should learn from their mistakes. Feels that the breeze played a crucial part in the match. Ends by saying that it was a fantastic series and would have loved to win it.
Phil Salt is the Player of the Series for his back-to-back hundreds in the series. He says that it is disappointing to have come out on the wrong side. Mentions that Shai Hope batted really well and that they took the game as deep as they could. Shares that they have had a long time around this set-up. States that he has learnt a lot from Jos Buttler. Feels that the surfaces were challenging as they played differently under lights and during the daytime. On his learning from this series, he replies that you have more time than you think at the top of the order.
Gudakesh Motie is the Player of the Match for his brilliance with the ball. He says it was not so difficult for him. He says that he trusted his ability, as it was all about the correct line and length on the pitch. Shares that he has been working on his lengths over the years. Adds that as a finger spinner, you don't get much from the wicket. On his favourite format, he replies he prefers all, but Test cricket is the most challenging for him. Ends by saying that it was his second series and he will go home happily.
Time for the post match presentations...
Earlier in the game, England batted first and could only manage a below-par score of 132 with Phil Salt, Moeen Ali, and Liam Livingstone among the runs. With the ball, the hosts West Indies were terrific and did not allow England to get away with freebies. Gudakesh Motie was the best bowler on show with 3 for 24 in his spell. The likes of Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, and Andre Russell chipped in with two each. West Indies will be delighted with the series win as they build up to their preparation for the T20 World Cup.
Reece Topley and Adil Rashid were excellent with the ball as the duo picked up 4 wickets in the combined spell of 8 overs and gave away just 38 runs. Chris Woakes also bowled a tidy spell while Sam Curran bowled a terrific penultimate over to take the game deep but the rest of the bowlers had an off day as England suffered another series defeat.
A hard-fought win here for the West Indies as they beat England by 4 wickets with four balls to spare and take the series 3-2. Chasing a middling score of 133 for the win, Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran were dismissed early on but Johnson Charles and Shai Hope added important runs and batted with maturity. Charles was dismissed in the 8th over but Hope carried on and found an able partner in Sherfane Rutherford. The duo batted sensibly and got their side closer to the target. Shai Hope anchored the innings nicely and in the company of Jason Holder, they got the job done.
19.2
6
Chris Woakes to Shai Hope, SIX! Shai Hope has done it for the West Indies! Chris Woakes hurls it full and outside of, Shai Hope gets the width he needs and he frees his arms to carve it over deep cover. He also manages to get underneath the delivery and clears the fence with ease. West Indies win by 4 wickets and win the series 3-2!
19.1
3
Chris Woakes to Jason Holder, Excellent fielding! On a fullish length, on off, Jason Holder swings through the line to go down the ground but gets an inside edge that races past short fine leg. Rehan Ahmed gives the chase and dives forward to prevent the boundary. Saves a run for his side which could prove to be the difference.
END OF OVER 19 | 2 Runs & 1 Wkt | WI 124/6
Chris Woakes will bowl the final over. He has conceded 19 runs from his 3 overs. Can he defend 8 runs here?
18.6
1
Sam Curran to Jason Holder, A direct hit and it would have been curtains for Jason Holder! Fuller delivery, on off, Jason Holder stays deep in his crease and bunts it towards extra cover. The batters set off for the single and Moeen Ali picks it up cleanly and has a shy at the non-striker's end. Holder is nowhere in the frame and Sam Curran backs up but uses only one hand to collect the throw and fails to gather it cleanly. West Indies need 9 runs off the final over!
Jason Holder walks out to bat.
18.5
W
Sam Curran to Andre Russell, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Sam Curran gets the big man! Andre Russell departs and West Indies are starting to feel the pressure now! Sam Curran misses his mark and delivers a juicy low full-toss, on off, Andre Russell sits deep in his crease and tries to muscle this one down the ground. He loses his shape and does not get the connection. Skies it high in the air but only as far as Liam Livingstone at long on who does the rest. West Indies lose Andre Russell and they still need 10 runs from 7 balls!
18.4
0
Sam Curran to Andre Russell, Another bumper, another dot! Sam Curran digs it in short again, on off, Andre Russell winds up to drag the pull from over his head but swings a bit early. The ball comes off the toe-end of the bat and rolls back to the right of Sam Curran. The pressure mounting on Andre Russell!
18.3
0
Sam Curran to Andre Russell, Good bumper Sam Curran bends his back and bangs it in short, at the right shoulder of the batter, Andre Russell ducks underneath quickly and lets the ball pass. 10 needed from 9 for West Indies!
18.2
1
Sam Curran to Shai Hope, Tries to go for the yorker but ends up serving a waist-high full toss, on middle, Shai Hope gets a bit surprised but adjusts well to push this one past extra cover for a single.
18.1
0
Sam Curran to Shai Hope, Starts with a dot! Full and honing in, on middle and leg, Shai Hope guides this one off the front foot to cover.
END OF OVER 18 | 8 Runs & 0 Wkt | WI 122/5
17.6
1
Rehan Ahmed to Shai Hope, Short once more, on off, Shai Hope uses the depth of the crease and tucks it in front of deep square leg for a single. West Indies need 11 runs from 12 balls!
17.5
4
Rehan Ahmed to Shai Hope, FOUR! Smart batting by Shai Hope! Rehan Ahmed keeps it short and gets the ball to turn away, outside off, Shai Hope plays this one late and opens the bat face to slice it between backward point and short third man to pick up a crucial booundary.
17.4
1
Rehan Ahmed to Andre Russell, Drops it short and outside off, Andre Russell hangs back and slaps it hard to deep point for one more run.
17.3
1
Rehan Ahmed to Shai Hope, Fuller this time, outside off, Shai Hope gets a good stride and drives it crisply towards deep point for a single.