3rd T20I
England has completed an all-round performance to clinch an unassailable 3-0 series lead
West Indies scored 145/8 in 20 overs, where as England scored 149/7 in 19.2 overs.
So, finally England beat West Indies by 3 wickets.
Sam Curran (41), Liam Livingstone (39), and Will Jacks (32) guided England to a three-wicket win in a tricky chase, securing an unassailable 3-0 series lead over the West Indies in St. Lucia on Thursday.
Earlier, fast bowlers Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton claimed three wickets each to restrict the West Indies to 145/8 in the first innings, a total that seemed respectable considering the hosts were 37/5 at one stage.
England’s captain Jos Buttler won the toss for the third consecutive match and opted to field on one of the highest-scoring grounds in the West Indies.
The decision quickly proved to be the right one as England took control early, claiming four wickets in the first four overs.
Shai Hope was run out in the first over by debutant Jacob Bethell, and Mahmood struck in the second over, removing Evin Lewis, who holed out to third man.
The West Indies’ troubles deepened as the dangerous Nicholas Pooran was bowled out by Jofra Archer, and Roston Chase edged one to slip.
Mahmood picked up his third wicket in the sixth over, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer, who skied a pull shot to deep mid-wicket.
The hosts were reeling at 39/5 at the end of the PowerPlay.
Rovmann Powell (54) and Romario Shepherd (30) mounted a counterattack with a 73-run partnership in 9.3 overs, aiming to rescue their side.
They targeted leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed and Livingstone, scoring 26 runs in the ninth and tenth overs.
Powell survived an LBW shout through DRS, and brought up his fifty with a six off Curran.
But just as the West Indies looked set to push for a big total, Overton struck again, removing Shepherd and Motie in the 16th over, and Powell in the 18th.
With a late flurry from Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein, the hosts reached 145/8 by the end of their innings.
In reply, England’s chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Phil Salt for just four, bowled by Hosein.
Jacks slowly found his rhythm, hitting a couple of boundaries, but England’s captain Buttler was dismissed for a duck, edging one to the West Indies skipper Powell at slip.
Bethell made a brief appearance, scoring a boundary before being caught behind off Joseph.
At 42/3 after the PowerPlay, England was in trouble.
Jacks then steadied the ship, putting on a 38-run partnership with Curran.
Jacks, who had seen his partners fall cheaply, hit two boundaries off Terrance Hinds to bring some calm to England’s chase.
However, he was dismissed at a crucial point, punching one straight to cover.
Livingstone, who had an eventful start to his innings, was dropped twice in consecutive overs.
He made the most of his reprieves, smashing a six off Joseph and settling into a more aggressive approach.
Curran followed suit, hitting a six over long-off off Motie to bring the target down to 38 off 30 balls.
Hinds eventually claimed Curran’s wicket, but a six from Dan Mousley and a 16-run over from Livingstone left England needing just five runs off 12 balls.
Though Livingstone was dismissed in the penultimate over, the damage had already been done, and England comfortably crossed the line to seal the series.
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