West Indies v England: Shai Hope and Evin Lewis stun visitors in record-breaking chase to seal first win of T20 series
Updated 17/11/2024 at 08:38 GMT
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England went into the fourth T20 of the series in the West Indies with victory already in the bag, sitting 3-0. Live on TNT Sports and discovery+, they looked to be on course to continue the clean sweep with an impressive total, before Evin Lewis and Shai Hope inspired West Indies to the biggest run chase St Lucia has ever seen in a T20I encounter.
Highlights: West Indies hammer England in record-breaking consolation win in 4th T20I
Video credit: TNT Sports
West Indies openers Shai Hope and Evin Lewis scored quick half-centuries as their side recorded the biggest ever St Lucia run chase.
England set the joint-highest international T20 score at St Lucia after an impressive 218-5, thanks to half-centuries by Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell, which looked to set them on course to make it 4-0 in the series.
However, on a good pitch, West Indies hit their stride as Lewis smashed 68 runs from 31 balls – including four fours and seven sixes.
He was joined at the opposite end by Hope, whose 54 runs came from 24 balls as the pair put on a stand of 136 for the first wicket off nine overs.
However, in the ninth over, England struck back with Rehan Ahmed forcing three wickets in as many balls for a team hat-trick.
West Indies wobbled with Nicholas Pooran falling for a duck, while Shimron Hetmyer also went for just seven.
With the home side’s run rate increasing, skipper Rovman Powell steadied the ship with a vital 38 runs from 23 balls.
Eventually, Sherfane Rutherford saw his country over the line with two sixes in the penultimate over to seal victory.
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Lewis smashes Livingstone for 105m six in West Indies' chase versus England
Video credit: TNT Sports
England skipper Jos Buttler felt his side played well to post a target of 218-5, which the West Indies hit with an over spare.
“I thought it was an excellent wicket and we got off to a really good start with [Phil] Salt and [Will] Jacks putting pressure on them,” said Buttler.
“I thought we needed at least 220. They played extremely well and put us under a lot of pressure. We had to manage Jamie Overton’s workload during the series, so unfortunately he couldn’t bowl today.
“I thought we played pretty well, it was a good performance, batting first to put up a good score and put the West Indies under pressure.”
Buttler also commented on the performance of 20-year-old Ahmed, who sparked three wickets in one over to give England hope.
“The wrist spinners are like gold-dust in T20 cricket in terms of wicket takers,” added Buttler. “I thought he was very brave today with the way he bowled.
“He got us back into the game with that one over where we created those chances. He’s a young guy full of confidence and I can see him playing a big part in the future.”
England had already secured the T20 series victory, and lead 3-1 going into the fifth and final T20 in the series on Sunday in St Lucia 20:00 GMT, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Team hat-trick has England back in the game versus West Indies
Video credit: TNT Sports
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: EVIN LEWIS
West Indies came into the match already 3-0 down in the series and faced chasing 218 - the joint-highest international T20 score at St Lucia.
The first two overs provided just five runs as England looked to see out their fourth win of the series and set up a whitewash.
However, up stepped Lewis and fellow opener Shai Hope, who between them tore apart the visiting bowlers.
Lewis was in scintillating form and his knock of 68 from 31 balls, including seven sixes, was worthy of winning any T20 clash.
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TALKING POINT: TOUGH LEARNING FOR YOUNGSTERS WITHOUT overton
Jamie Overton took three wickets for England in their third T20 victory against West Indies a few days earlier.
However, with England managing their players' fitness, he was unable to bowl in the fourth match of the series.
Jofra Archer also took a wicket in the last match, but was left out of the side as John Turner made his England T20 debut.
The England bowlers, other than Ahmed's brilliance in the ninth, struggled to contain openers Hope and Lewis as boundaries continued to flow.
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Watch and stream the West Indies v England T20I series live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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