West Indies suffer first defeat in T20 World Cup

West Indies ICC Men’s T20 World Cup it’s over.

After posting a spirited score of 180 for 4, the Caribbean side were powerless against England’s fierce run chase as the defending champions cruised to a comfortable eight-wicket win in the second group match of the Super Eights on Wednesday night.

The venue was packed with people Darren Sammy Stadium England were frustrated as Phil Salt’s unbeaten 87 secured victory in 17.3 overs in St Lucia, as the West Indies suffered their first defeat in five matches.

West Indies, who had won four straight games in the group stage, came on to bat first and looked set to score around 200 runs, but managed just 43 runs in the last five innings.

Five of the West Indies’ first six batsmen scored more than 25 runs but the hosts failed to accelerate towards the end of the innings.

Johnson Charles top-scored with 38 runs from 34 balls, while fellow opener Brandon King scored 23 runs from 13 balls before being forced out with a flank strain.

Nicholas Pooran scored 36 runs off 32 balls but was controlled by fast bowler Jofra Archer in the 16th over, conceding just 4 runs. The Barbados-born Archer removed Pooran in that innings, halting West Indies’ efforts to increase the tempo.

Pooran’s dismissal was the next player to be dropped after captain Rovman Powell, who scored 36 runs in 17 balls with powerful batting.

At the end of the match, Sherfane Rutherford smashed 28 runs off 15 balls, but his efforts were not enough to stop the onslaught of England, who, led by Salt and captain Jos Buttler, opened with 67 runs in 7.4 overs.

Salter hit five sixes and seven fours off 47 balls, aided by early chances from wicketkeeper Pooran.

After 10 overs, the score was still 84/1, but England stepped up their attack, with Salter and Jonny Bastow combining to remain unbeaten for the third wicket with a score of 97 in 7.2 overs.

They were particularly harsh on fast medium pacer Romario Shepherd, who was robbed of 30 runs in the 16th over.

Bastow remained unbeaten with 48 runs from 26 balls and scored more than 5,000 runs in T20 cricket. (HG)