In an exciting match held in St Lucia, the West Indies managed to defeat England in the fourth T20 International, putting an end to England’s hopes of a clean 5-0 series sweep. Despite a fantastic performance by England’s Jacob Bethell, who scored a quick 62 not out from just 32 balls, the West Indies chased down a target of 219 in 19 overs, winning by five wickets.
Jacob Bethell Shines for England
- Jacob Bethell stood out with his impressive 22-ball half-century, his second of the series. He showcased his powerful hitting by smashing five sixes and four boundaries.
- Bethell’s innings included three consecutive sixes off Roston Chase, showing his capability to handle pressure and deliver big shots when needed.
- His strong performance came after early contributions from Phil Salt (55 from 35 balls), Jos Buttler (38 from 23 balls), and Will Jacks (25 from 12 balls), pushing England to a formidable total of 218-5.
West Indies’ Explosive Start
- The West Indies’ openers, Shai Hope and Evin Lewis, set the tone with an electrifying partnership of 136 runs from just 55 balls.
- Shai Hope scored 54 off 24 balls, while Evin Lewis played an even more aggressive inning, scoring 68 off 30 balls. They took advantage of England’s bowler Liam Livingstone, scoring 30 runs off his over, which included three sixes, a four, and six wides.
- By the end of the powerplay, West Indies had sprinted to 69-0, which was a sharp contrast to their previous matches where they struggled early on.
England’s Brief Comeback
- England found their way back into the game during Rehan Ahmed’s 10th over when they managed to take three wickets in three balls. Hope was run out, Lewis was caught on the cover boundary, and Nicholas Pooran was bowled for a duck by Ahmed.
- These quick dismissals put pressure on the West Indies and gave England a glimmer of hope.
West Indies Regain Control
- Despite losing three quick wickets, West Indies captain Rovman Powell scored a crucial 38 runs to stabilize the innings. His calm batting helped the team stay on track until he was dismissed lbw by John Turner, a T20I debutant.
- Sherfane Rutherford added an important 29 not out from 17 balls and sealed the game with two back-to-back sixes off Dan Mousley, ensuring victory with six balls to spare. Rutherford’s luck also played a part as one of his high shots fell safely between four converging England fielders.
Concerns for England
- While Bethell’s batting was a highlight for England, there were a few worries. Liam Livingstone, who had been performing well throughout the series, hurt his knee while taking a running catch to dismiss Shimron Hetmyer. His fitness will be a concern for England as they prepare for future matches.
- Saqib Mahmood bowled economically, even delivering a maiden in the second over, but failed to take any wickets. His previous eight powerplay wickets in the series had set high expectations.
Upcoming Matches and Series Highlights
- This match concluded with the West Indies securing their first victory of the series. The final T20 match is set to be played on Sunday at the same venue.
- Following the T20 series, England will shift their focus to Test cricket with a three-match series in New Zealand, starting in Christchurch on November 28. Bethell, who displayed his talent in this T20 match, will be part of the Test squad despite having a modest first-class record with no centuries.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Batting Prowess: Jacob Bethell’s half-century and the early power-hitting by Salt and Buttler showcased England’s batting depth.
- West Indies’ Resilience: The partnership between Hope and Lewis proved vital in chasing the high target, demonstrating their powerful top order.
- Critical Bowling Moments: Rehan Ahmed’s quick wickets added suspense to the game and reminded fans that cricket can change in an instant.
