Thewindies humble England intwenty 20
England’s Twenty20 tour of Barbados got off to a false start last night as they were bundled out for 103 before the West Indies reached the meagre target with nine wickets and 17 balls to spare.
After being asked to bat first on a tricky pitch with inconsistent bounce, England lurched to 10 for three then 49 for seven as their Ashes batting woes transferred to the Caribbean at the outset of this fivematch series.
Lower-order batters Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid spared England’s blushes as they avoided a new record-low T20 total but the duo’s efforts barely papered over the cracks, with the Windies rarely troubled in their pursuit.
Jordan top-scored for England with 28 from 23 balls and was one of only four batters to make double figures in a much-changed line-up for the tourists,
In contrast to England’s early boomor-bust approach, the Windies pair of King and Hope were largely content to rotate strike, with the only shot in anger in a 52-run opening partnership coming when King swept Rashid over midwicket.
Rashid ensured England would not suffer a first 10-wicket T20 defeat when he lured Hope out of his crease.
Hope was beaten by some lavish turn and stumped for 20 but while England’s bowlers toiled away, with Dawson particularly miserly in conceding 12 runs in four overs, they lacked a cutting edge under floodlights with even a Covid-reduced crowd sensing there would be no collapse from the hosts.
There was little need for any risktaking from King, who reached a patient 47-ball 50 shortly before hitting the winning run, while Pooran also adopted a sensible approach to finish with 27 not out from 29 balls.
■ Scotland made it two wins from three at the Women’s T20 Commonwealth Games qualifier in Malaysia yesterday, with a 16-run victory over Kenya in a rainshortened contest.