Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Monday, 24 January 2022 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
BRIDGETOWN (AFP): Jason Holder did the bulk of the damage as England’s latest batting collapse paved the way for West Indies’ nine-wicket win in the first Twenty20 international in Bridgetown on Saturday.
Towering paceman Holder twice struck with successive deliveries on his Kensington Oval home ground during a format-best return of 4 for 7 as England were dismissed for just 103 following their Ashes woes. West Indies then cruised to a target of 104 with 17 balls to spare, opener Brandon King finishing on 52 not out as the hosts went 1-0 up in this five-match series. It was a heartening result for the West Indies, fresh from a 2-1 one-day international series loss at home to Ireland, and now without veteran opener Chris Gayle after a T20 World Cup where they just one of their five matches.
England surpassed their record low T20 total of 80 thanks mainly to an eighth-wicket stand of 36 between Chris Jordan (28) and Rashid (22). England were without T20 regulars Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes after their Ashes exertions as they fielded a much-changed side. Sam Billings was one of only five survivors from the XI that lost to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semi-finals in November, making the long journey from Australia to Barbados just days after his Test debut.
