WEST Indies kept the high-flying England batting lineup quiet, including the destructive Phil Salt, as the regional team sealed the five-match T20 series 3-2 with a four-wicket win in the fifth and final match at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba on Thursday.
In the third T20, England chased down more than 220 to win the contest in Grenada.
England’s batting was even more destructive in the fourth T20 on Tuesday, posting an imposing 267/3 which helped the visiting team level the series 2-2. The score on Tuesday was the fifth-highest score in the history of T20 wicket.
The common denominator in the third and fourth matches was Salt, as the right-hander smashed centuries (109 not out and 119) in both games.
The opening partnership between Salt and England captain Jos Buttler was worth 117 in the fourth T20 and West Indies were eager for early wickets on Thursday.
The Windies bowlers did not disappoint.
In the fourth over, Buttler tried to flick the ball over his shoulder to fine leg, but he could only pick out Oshane Thomas at short fine leg as Jason Holder got the wicket. Buttler could only muster 11 off 11 balls.
England did not hit their first six until the fifth over when Will Jacks just cleared the long on fence off Akeal Hosein.
Hosein got the last laugh though as he bowled Jacks for seven as England were reduced to 39/2 after five overs.
At the end of the powerplay, England progressed to 50/2 with Salt threatening to take the match away from West Indies again as he already had 31.
It was not meant to be on this occasion as left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie got the dangerous Salt, bowled for 38 off 22 balls. Motie, who celebrated vociferously when getting the wicket, got bounce and spin off the surface.
West Indies were now on top with England 61/3 after seven overs.
Motie got his second scalp removing Harry Brook for seven. Attempting a paddle sweep, Brook could only find the top edge and was caught by wicket-keeper Nicholas Pooran.
At the halfway stage of the England innings, West Indies would have been the happier team with the score 77/4 after ten overs.
Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone led a recovery getting England past 100.
West Indies stayed in front of the contest as athletic teamwork shown by Andre Russell and captain Rovman Powell got rid of Ali for 23 off 21 deliveries.
Russell took the catch running to his right fielding at long on, but his momentum took him over the boundary. Before stepping over the boundary, he threw the ball to long off fielder Powell who completed a diving catch.
Hosein ended his spell with economical figures of 2/20 in four overs as England were now in need of a partnership sinking to 111/5 with only five overs remaining.
In his final over, Motie grabbed another wicket as he held on to a simple caught and bowled chance as Livingstone was sent packing for 28 off 29 balls. Motie ended with figures of 3/24 in four overs.
Wickets continued to tumble and when Russell bowled Chris Woakes for two with a yorker it was 125/7 in the 19th over.
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