In an electrifying contest at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada on Saturday, England pulled off the highest successful run chase ever recorded in a Caribbean Twenty20 International (T20I), stunning West Indies with a seven-wicket victory and just one ball to spare.
Veteran Andre Russell’s shocking final over, conceding 24 runs, turned the tide in England’s favor.
Facing the daunting task of chasing down a massive target of 223 runs to avoid an early series defeat, England delivered an astonishing performance. Opener Phil Salt played a pivotal role, delivering an extraordinary unbeaten century, scoring 109 runs off just 56 deliveries.
However, it was Harry Brook who sealed the victory for England with an impressive display of batting. The 24-year-old right-hander smashed a four and three sixes off Russell’s final over, finishing unbeaten on 31 runs from just seven balls.
Brook’s brilliance turned the tables
The game appeared to be leaning in West Indies’ favor as England required 21 runs from the last six balls. Yet, Brook’s brilliance turned the tables. He struck a four, a six, and another six off the first three deliveries of the over, reducing the equation to five runs from three balls. Brook then scrambled two runs to deep mid-wicket and concluded the match in style by hitting the fifth delivery over third man for a six, securing a sensational win.
Captain Rovman Powell expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that despite West Indies scoring an impressive 220 runs, the match slipped away. He commended the team’s effort and the bowlers’ performance in patches.
Phil Salt, named Man of the Match, achieved his maiden T20I hundred, hitting four fours and nine sixes. He emphasized the team’s goal of bringing down the target to a manageable 60 or 70 runs off the last five overs, which they successfully achieved.
England’s captain, Jos Buttler, who contributed 51 runs off 34 balls in a vital opening partnership with Salt, praised the fantastic win and Salt’s match-winning innings.
A career-best 82 runs off 45 deliveries
Nicholas Pooran was the top-scorer for West Indies, registering a career-best 82 runs off 45 deliveries, helping the team recover from a shaky start. West Indies compiled an impressive total of 222 for six in their 20 overs, their fifth-highest T20I score and second-highest on Caribbean soil.
Despite openers Brandon King and Kyle Mayers falling early, Pooran’s remarkable performance, along with partnerships with Shai Hope and Rovman Powell, guided West Indies to a competitive total. England’s bowlers, particularly leg-spinner Adil Rashid, played a crucial role in containing the West Indies batsmen.
With this victory, England bounced back in the five-match series after losing the first two games. The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of West Indies, with both teams gearing up for the next encounter.
