END OF OVER:20 | 17 Runs 1 Wkt | ENG: 204/9 (21 runs required, RR: 10.20)
- Reece Topley2 (2b)
- Tymal Mills1 (1b)
- Romario Shepherd4-0-59-3
- Sheldon Cottrell4-0-28-1
8.16pm So, that's another tremendous contest done and dusted. 428 runs across 40 overs all told... and there's more to come at the weekend. From Miller, Valkerie, Matt, Chandan and the team, goodnight!
8.04pm Let's have some presentations. Unsurprisingly, Rovman Powell is player of the match. "I knew last night I was the one to split the left-handers," he says. "Overall improvements... I can strike the ball good ball but a little problem with wristspin, I've worked on opening up the off side. Rashid is the most threatening of the bowlers, so get 20-30 off him and limit the wickets. There's a big side and a short side, so we didn't want two right-handers at the crease. Communicating and sharing the workload was key today. Everything came out of the middle today." And to his credit, he knows the other two Windies T20 century-makers, Universe Boss and Evin Lewis.
Moeen Ali. "We were done a little bit with Morgs going down and playing three debutants but they played really well. A fantastic partnership took the game away from us but proud of the way the boys batted at the end. We've got guys putting their hands up, Bants was outstanding today, great for his confidence going forward. We are confident in our side and we said from the start it would be a brilliant series."
Kieron Pollard: "Kudos to Rovman, he came in and took his chance. We had a good discussion today about our batting and what we wanted to do. Nicholas getting the opportunity to bat at 3, and the deeper he bats, the more dangerous he gets. Versatility in our team, sometimes takes the ego out of it, kudos to the players. Using the dimensions of the ground, in the last couple of the games, i've bowled four overs, use the experience I have. If it's necessary I will do it for the team. It was a complete game today and I'm happy for the guys. The challenge is coming back again, we want to replicate that performance, but a longer time to enjoy the victory, so a chance to rejig and improve."
7.58pm So, England gave it a good go, but there was no way back after a batting onslaught from West Indies, led by a stunning 51-ball hundred from Rovman Powell. Phil Salt and Tom Banton got rowdy in response with a brace of excellent fifties, but Romario Shepherd chipped away with three key wickets, while Kieron Pollard's four overs were quietly superb. It was always beyond England's reach in the final stages, and now they need to win back-to-back fixtures at the weekend to swipe the series, with West Indies currently 2-1 to the good. It's been a lot of fun so far!
Dave Fern: "Want to be the first to congratulate West Indies. I'm an England supporter, but it's great to see 2 teams having a real battle. Encouraging for the game in general."
Ayaz Khan: "What a game brain this man has, naillllled that Yorker " It's a fair point. That IPL mega-auction is looming...
Bobby: "Read nothing into this. Rovman has had a day out, England didn't catch on to his weaknesses, then Vince / Moeen were outdone. But this was a strong chase from the 3rd XI against WIndies starters. "