Willey steers England to 3-0 series sweep against Windies
BASSETERRE (SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS):
David Willey spearheaded another rout of an indisciplined West Indies batting line-up as England completed a 3-0 sweep of the series with an eight-wicket victory in the third and final T20 International at Warner Park in St Kitts here.
Medium-pacer Willey knocked over the top-order in finishing with career-best T20I figures of four for seven from three overs to take the man of the match award as the hosts were demolished for 71 off just 13 overs on Sunday. Willey’s teammate and fellow allrounder Chris Jordan was named man of the series.
Jonny Bairstow, man of the match in the first fixture in St Lucia five days earlier, then sped the visitors toward their target with 37 (31 balls, two sixes, four fours) as the whitewash was completed with almost ten overs to spare.
Bairstow fell to Devendra Bishoo with victory in sight leaving captain Eoin Morgan to cart the leg-spinner for a six and a four off successive deliveries to seal the comprehensive result.
“It’s been outstanding to see guys come in and take full advantage of the opportunity in this series,” said Morgan in reflecting on his team’s complete dominance of the three matches.
Fast bowler Mark Wood, playing his first game of the T20 series in place of the fast-medium Liam Plunkett, maintained pressure after Willey’s early successes in taking three for nine while legspinner Adil Rashid finished off another pitiful batting effort by the world champions with two wickets in two overs.
Dismantled for their lowest T20 total ever, 45, on the way to a 137-run thrashing in the second match two days earlier at the same venue, Jason Holder’s decision to bat first on winning the toss made no difference with Shai Hope falling to the very first ball of the match from Willey to set the tone for another collapse.
Hope’s opening partner, John Campbell, making his T20I debut in place of the rested Chris Gayle, was one of four players to get into double-figures although it made no meaningful difference to the innings.
Brief scores: England 72/2 in 10.3 ovs (J Bairstow 37) bt West Indies 71 all out in 13 ovs (D Willey 4/7, M Wood 3/9) by 8 wkts.