Holder stumped after one that got away
london — West Indies captain Jason Holder was left trying to work out how his side had lost the fourth one-day international against England despite two fine solo efforts with bat and ball.
England triumphed by six runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method for rain-affected fixtures at The Oval on Wednesday in a series-clinching success that left them 3-0 up with one to play in a five-match contest.
Defeat, West Indies’ 16th in 17 completed ODIs against England, was tough on Evin Lewis who made a career-best 176 before retiring hurt, while recalled paceman Alzarri Joseph took five for 56, his maiden five-wicket haul at his level.
To make matters worse, opener Lewis will miss Friday’s finale in Southampton with a hairline fracture, an injury he suffered in bizarre fashion when he deflected a Jake Ball delivery onto his right ankle.
For all Lewis and Joseph’s excellent work, an unbroken sixth-wick- et partnership of 77 between Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler got Eng- land above the required rate to 258 for five when rain stopped play in the 36th over.
“It’s really hard to take... I thought, had the rain not come, it would have been a really close finish — and we were backing ourselves to win it,” said all-rounder Holder, who made 77 as he and Lewis put on 168.
“It’s hard when a guy scores 170 and another guy takes five wickets, and you end up losing the game,” he added. —