The much-anticipated fifth T20 match between England and West Indies, held in St. Lucia, ultimately succumbed to the weather as heavy rain washed out the game. This contest was critical as it represented the final match of a five-game series that had seen England already establish a commanding lead of three wins to one. The match, which began with England’s captain Jos Buttler opting to bowl first, saw the West Indies openers make a promising start, scoring 44 runs without losing a wicket in just 5 overs. However, as the rain began to pour, efforts by the ground staff to dry the pitch proved futile, and the match was abandoned at approximately 22:15 GMT.
Evin Lewis and Shai Hope were at the crease when the rain disrupted play, with Lewis contributing a solid 29 runs off 20 balls and Hope adding 14. This looked to be turning into a riveting chase, especially following the West Indies’ impressive performance in the fourth T20, where the two openers formed a formidable partnership that resulted in a rapid 136 runs in just nine overs. Despite this promising start, the weather conditions forced the match officials to call off the proceedings, leading to an unsatisfactory conclusion.
England’s earlier performance in the series saw them walk away with a 3-1 victory, marking their success despite an earlier defeat in the one-day international leg of the tour, which England lost 2-1. Phil Salt emerged as the standout player for England throughout the T20 series, finishing as the leading run-scorer with a total of 162 runs derived from four innings, which included an outstanding unbeaten century of 103 runs in the first T20 match of the series. His efforts were closely followed by the West Indies’ captain, Rovman Powell, who accumulated 153 runs across the series.
Moreover, the bowling department for England showcased remarkable talent with Saqib Mahmood being notably the leading wicket-taker. Mahmood, who was rested for this final match, had claimed nine wickets during the four matches he played, underlining his importance to the bowling attack. His contribution was vital for England’s victory in the series and further solidified his status as a player to watch in the future.
Looking ahead, England’s cricketing schedule includes a challenging three-Test series against New Zealand starting on November 27. Following this, the white-ball team is set to face off against India in January, which will be the first assignment for Brendon McCullum as the head coach of the white-ball team.
Reactions from the series reflect a sense of achievement for England. Saqib Mahmood, named Player of the Series, expressed satisfaction regarding the team’s tactics and readiness, focusing on their intent to frustrate opposing teams during the powerplay. Captain Jos Buttler echoed the sentiment, stating their delight in securing the series, highlighting their excellent performance. On the other side, Rovman Powell offered candid feedback, acknowledging the challenges faced by the West Indies team and recognizing England’s superior gameplay under the given conditions.
In conclusion, the washed-out match in St. Lucia, while disappointing, does not overshadow the successful campaign for England against the West Indies in this T20 series. With a confirmed series victory and promising performances from players, England cricket fans will look forward to what lies ahead in the upcoming tours and series. The team’s next steps are supported by robust individual performances and a tactical outlook that seeks continued improvement.
