But when Andre Russell got rid of Salt, who had hit a scorching forty off only twenty balls, his team made the vital breakthrough. After winning the ODI series against England last week, the West Indies appeared to be on the rise. Rovman Powell and company started the five-match Twenty20 International series on a high note on Wednesday, December 13, at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, defeating England by four wickets.
Having won the toss, the hosts chose to bowl initially. Thanks to the explosive opening combination of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, England got off to a great start. In the Power Play, they scored an additional 77 runs when the West Indies bowlers were running out of time. When several batters received starts but were unable to produce anything meaningful, this dismissal opened the floodgates for England. Akeal Hosein, the lone spinner in the West Indies lineup, removed Buttler in the ninth over.
Before the tourists were bowled out for 171 in 19.3 overs, cameos from Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone helped them add some significant runs. Russell had four overs at 3/19, which was outstanding for his final statistics. Despite giving up 54 runs in 3.3 overs, Alzarri Joseph claimed three wickets as well. Romario Shepherd picked up a few wickets throughout his productive ball play.
The West Indies responded by sending their opening pair, Brandon King and Kyle Mayers, off to a great start. They got off to a great start with their 32-run partnership off just 16 balls. The dangerous left-hander made an entertaining thirty-one off twenty-balls with four sixes. Shai Hope, the vice captain, batted at number three and scored 36 off 30 balls. Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, England’s two leg-spinners, got their side back into the game when the quartet of Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, and Romario Shepherd left in rapid succession.
After joining forces in the 15th over, with the score at 123/6, it was up to captain Powell and seasoned player Andre Russell to lead their side home. With 11 balls remaining, they scored 49 runs in 21 balls to meet the goal. Russell scored 29 off of 14 balls to end, and Powell scored 31 off of 15 deliveries without a hit.
Russell was named Player of the Match for his all-around efforts. Russell was playing for his first international team in more than two years. On Thursday, December 14, in St. George’s, Grenada, the second Twenty20 International is slated to take place.
Here are the reactions of ‘X’ users to Andre Russell outstanding performance and West Indies’ four-wicket victory:
ANDRE RUSSELL Had A Great Come BACK !!!🔥
Playing in his first T20I after 2 long years, he took 3 for 19 from 4 overs and 29*(14) against Defending Champions England.
– Such A Great Hitter !!! #WIvsENG pic.twitter.com/vP45Sb79tJ— Usman Sidhu Official (@usmansidhuoffic) December 13, 2023
Andre Russell won the player of the match award against England on his Comeback.
– Russell Mussel is back…!!!!#ENGvsWI #WIvsENG pic.twitter.com/5LNzZqth0Y
— Flash (@F1ash369) December 13, 2023
The comeback of #russell
and a complete team effort helped #westindies to start series with a win against #england#WIvsENG— PRASANNAKUMAR (@prasanna1914227) December 13, 2023
🌟 Andre Russell made a stunning return to the West Indies T20I squad after two years, and boy, did he deliver! 🔥 His match-winning performance powered West Indies to victory in the 1st T20I against England at Bridgetown! 🏏🏆#WIvsENG #RussellReturns #T20IVictory pic.twitter.com/N4mJQYH0CB
— Vtrakit Cricket (@Vtrakit) December 13, 2023
Welcome back Andre 💪
What a terrific performance
With the bowl – 04-0-19-03
With the bat – 29*-14 – 02-02
Player of the match
WI beat ENG by 4 wickets in first T20I of the series…… #WIvsENG#Russell pic.twitter.com/RJpXDd3WW0— Arjun Singh Rana (@RanaAs146Rana) December 13, 2023
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