Castries, St. Lucia – England secured a nail-biting three-wicket triumph over the West Indies on Thursday, clinching the third T20I and cementing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
The match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground showcased England’s clinical execution and exposed West Indies’ recurring batting vulnerabilities, marking the visitors’ sweet revenge after losing the preceding ODI series.
Windies batting woes continue
For the third consecutive match, the West Indies struggled to post a competitive total after being sent in to bat. Only three players reached double digits as the hosts limped to 145 for eight in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Rovman Powell’s valiant 54 and Romario Shepherd’s gritty 30 offered brief resistance, but their efforts were undermined by a disastrous start.
The early carnage was spearheaded by England’s lethal pace duo, Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood. Mahmood, who earned Player-of-the-Match honors, dismantled the Windies’ top order with figures of 3-17, while Archer and Jaime Overton contributed significantly to the pressure.
Shai Hope’s return to the line-up began with promise but ended in calamity. After clipping Archer for a boundary, a mix-up with Evin Lewis led to Hope’s run-out. Moments later, Archer struck again, dismissing Lewis and then clean-bowling Nicholas Pooran, leaving the hosts reeling at 21 for four.
Shimron Hetmyer’s dismissal for just two compounded the misery, as Mahmood and Archer showcased precision bowling under pressure. Powell’s partnership with Shepherd briefly stabilized the innings, but Overton’s twin strikes in the 16th over ensured the Windies fell short of setting a formidable target.
England’s chase marked by grit and nerve
England’s chase began with a stumble as Akeal Hosein’s relentless accuracy removed Phil Salt and Jos Buttler cheaply. Alzarri Joseph added to the drama by dismissing Jacob Bethell, leaving England precariously placed at 37 for three.
Will Jacks (32) and Sam Curran (41) rebuilt the innings with a crucial 38-run partnership, but the West Indies bowlers continued to fight back. Hosein’s remarkable spell of 4-22 kept the contest alive, and when Terrance Hinds claimed Curran’s wicket for his maiden T20I scalp, England’s nerves were tested.
Liam Livingstone, however, emerged as England’s savior. His explosive knock, including two towering sixes off Joseph in the 18th over, swung the momentum decisively. Although Hosein dismissed Livingstone late in the innings, Rehan Ahmed sealed the deal with a boundary in the final over, bringing England to 149 for seven with four balls to spare.
Sweet revenge for England
England’s victory not only secured the series but also ended the West Indies’ unbeaten streak in T20 home series since 2023. For Powell’s side, the loss underscored the need for urgent introspection, especially regarding their brittle top order and inconsistent bowling performances.
Reflecting on the defeat, Powell acknowledged the team’s shortcomings but remained optimistic. “We’ve had our struggles, but there’s always an opportunity to regroup and come back stronger,” he said.
As the series shifts to the fourth and fifth matches, both teams will have much to reflect on—England with a chance to sweep and the Windies desperate to salvage pride.
