England are hoping for a perfect 5-0 series West Indies suffered a sweep on Saturday night when they pulled off a surprise win in the fourth T20I.
Despite the defeat, England still go into Sunday’s final in St Lucia with a 3-1 lead.
The English team did their part with the bat after scoring an impressive 218 runs.
Rising star Jacob Bethell led the charge with an unbeaten 62, while Phil Salt had a solid fifty, but their reliable bowling attack had a rare night after failing to defend their usually winning score.
West Indies’ batting, especially the openers Evin Lewis and Shai Hope were hot as they chased England’s big total to spare.
Caribbean captain Rovman Powell sealed the deal with 38 runs.
England captain Darren Sammy can shake things up for Sunday’s series finale at the National Cricket Stadium.
England team:
Philip Salt (w), Will Jacks, Jos Buttler (c), Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Dan Mousley, Jamie OvertonRehan Ahmed, John Turner, Saqib Mahmud, Jofra Archer, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Jordan Cox, Jafer Chohan, Adil Rashid.
England v West Indies 11 Overs – 5th T20I, West Indies England Tour 2024
Openers: Phil Salt (w), Will Jacks
England’s batting unit will look to replicate their strong performance from the previous game as they enter the fifth T20I with a lead in the openers.
Phil Salt, who did well in the last game, will look to do better as he anchored the innings while maintaining an aggressive pace, hitting 55 off 35 balls, smashing five fours and four sixes in a knock of 157.14.
Will Jacks provided a fast start with an astonishing 12 deliveries off 25 at 208.33, including two sixes, before falling to 54-1 in the fifth over and will look to repeat the performance.
Also read: WI vs ENG Match Preview – 5th T20I, West Indies England tour 2024
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Jos Buttler(c), Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran
England’s middle-order batsmen and all-rounders will look to develop and improve their performances in the 5th T20I.
Jos Buttler (38 off 23 balls) showed his attacking prowess with a strike rate of 165.22 but will need a more substantial contribution and use his explosive potential in the crucial middle stages.
Jacob Bethel, who hit a brilliant 62* off 32 balls, will want to continue his form and look for consistency.
Liam Livingstone (4 off 6 balls) had a quiet outing but will be determined to come good with a more impressive performance. Sam Curran (24 off 13 balls) looked in decent touch.
Bowlers: Dan Musli, Rehan Ahmed, John Turner, Saqib Mahmood
All the English bowlers will try to do better than their performance in the previous match.
Dan Mousley (3 overs, 36 runs, 0 wickets, economy rate 12.00) will hope to strengthen his economy and look for improvements in the middle innings as his recent performance has been inconsistent.
Rehan Ahmed (4 overs, 43 runs, 3 wickets) has been a standout player and he will aim to continue his form by keeping runs in check and securing key wickets.
John Turner (4 overs, 42 runs, 1 wicket, economy rate 10.50) will try to improve his economy rate and score more runs in the upcoming match.
Saqib Mahmood (4 overs, 24 runs, 0 wickets, save rate 6.00) has been the most economical, but he will look more aggressive in getting wickets, especially in the powerplay where he can use early breakthroughs
