England wrapped up a sequence win over West Indies as an edgy three-wicket win within the third T20 worldwide in St Lucia earned them an unassailable 3-0 lead with two to play.
Chasing a seemingly modest goal of 146, England twice appeared in hassle, when diminished to 37-3 contained in the six-over powerplay after which at 75-4 within the eleventh over.
However 41 from Sam Curran and 39 for Liam Livingstone – dropped twice by Nicholas Pooran on six and eight, and once more by Shimron Hetmyer on 21 – proved pivotal in steering England over the road.
West Indies wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran twice dropped Liam Livingstone early on in his innings
Earlier, after Jos Buttler gained a 3rd toss in a row, Saqib Mahmood (3-17) picked up three extra wickets within the opening powerplay to take his tally to 9 for the sequence – eight of these coming in throughout some devastating opening spells.
That, mixed with some rash strokeplay from the West Indies high order, actually did not assist the hosts’ trigger as they subsided to 37-5 earlier than an enterprising half century from captain Rovman Powell helped rescue the innings considerably.
Shai Hope (4) was run out by some Jacob Bethell brilliance within the opening over, Jofra Archer (1-25) clean-bowled Pooran (7), whereas Roston Chase (7) nicking off to slide was the choose of Mahmood’s wickets – with Evin Lewis (3) and Hetmyer (2) each out to tender dismissals.
Powell countered, cracking 4 sixes and three boundaries in his 54 from 41 deliveries, sharing in a significant 73-run stand with Romario Shepherd (30 off 28 balls).
Jamie Overton (3-20) ended the partnership as he took two wickets in an over, Shepherd out lbw earlier than Gudakesh Motie fell for a three-ball duck. The burly England all-rounder then added the important thing scalp of Powell in his subsequent.
Alzarri Joseph (21no off 19) helped spark a late boundary surge on his return to the West Indies aspect after serving a two-game suspension however their whole of 145-8 appeared to be under par, that’s till England’s reply bought off to a faltering begin.
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Bethell all departed for 4, Akeal Hosein (4-22) dismissing each of the touring aspect’s match-winners from the opening two T20s earlier than Bethell nicked off to Alzarri (1-37).
Sam Curran cracked three fours and one six in a 26-ball 41 to steer England in direction of a series-clinching win
Curran, who averaged 43 with the bat within the previous ODI sequence, offered one other worthwhile contribution with the bat, whereas Will Jacks (32) too helped regular the ship – although the opener shall be kicking himself for not cashing in on one other first rate begin within the sequence.
Terrance Hinds (1-30) dismissed Curran to assert his maiden worldwide wicket, whereas Dan Mousley (8) got here and went cheaply to briefly have England rattled once more, and although Hosein lastly added Livingstone late on, the sooner errors within the subject proved too expensive because the guests inched over the road to take the sequence.
Buttler hails crew effort after sequence win
England captain Jos Buttler:
“It has been a collective effort to win the series, which is fantastic. We have set the tone so well with the ball – Saqib and Jofra, in particular, with early wickets and putting West Indies under pressure.
“I believe we’re in a extremely sturdy place. There are clearly a couple of guys who aren’t right here so there’s nice competitors for locations and it has been good to see the expansion of gamers right here.
“I thought Sam Curran batted outstandingly today, really maturely, scored really well. Different players have put their hand up which is great.”
Powell: Windies haven’t been sensible sufficient
West Indies captain Rovman Powell:
“We keep losing wickets in the powerplay, losing wickets in clusters. It is disappointing. It didn’t come off today.
“I believe it is about being our pure selves. We’re strokeplayers and shall be aggressive however that little component of being sensible is lacking.
“The execution with the ball was proper, against quality English batters. We have to take more catches, keep getting better as individuals.”
