Despite a spirited first-innings partnership from Jos Buttler and Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales, the West Indies overpowered England to seal their Twenty20 series win with a match still to play.
Eoin Morgan, standing in as captain for the injured Stuart Broad, won the toss and elected to bat at the Kensington Oval, but found early wickets came easier than runs.
Michael Lumb, Moeen Ali and Morgan himself departed during the powerplay, and at 26-3 England looked in deep trouble. Fortunately, Alex Hales and Jos Buttler led the recovery, putting on 76 for the fourth wicket.
At moments, Hales showed flashes of the innings that have saw him rise to the summit of the ICC T20 Batsman rankings, effortlessly lifting Marlon Samuels over the long on boundary, before dismissing Ravi Rampaul into the stands in the 13th over.
Just before a lengthy shower interrupted proceedings, he flicked Bravo off his pads, looking for the square leg boundary but could only find Simmons in the deep.
After the rain passed, Buttler continued to 67 while Ravi Bopara was the only other man to reach double figures. A total of 152-7 was competitive, and respectable considering the visitors’ early struggles.
Where England had faltered in their powerplay, the West Indies capitalised, scoring 58 for only Smith’s wicket – coming after smashing 30 from 16 deliveries. Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle continued the good work, the latter launching three maximums onto the roof of the stadium.
Bopara was economical, as was Tredwell, and while Bresnan picked up two wickets in successive deliveries to slow the chase, he conceded 51 from his other 21 deliveries.
Captain Darren Sammy ended the contest, finishing the match 30 not out, from just nine balls. Three ended up on the roof of the Kensington Oval.
Still work to do for England, then, ahead of the World T20 in Bangladesh later this month, but with one match left to play in the Caribbean, eyes will be on finishing their trip as positively as possible.
England return to Trent Bridge this summer to face India in an Investec Test Match and a sold-out Royal London One-Day International. With test match tickets moving quickly, don’t miss out and secure your seats now.