T20 World Cup 2021: ENG vs WI Review – England decimate defending champions

England wouldn’t have hoped for such an easy outing against the West Indies, the defending champions. The Kieron Pollard-led side just didn’t arrive on the day and looked hapless with the bat. It has cost them a game no doubt and also the net run-rate which could come into play in a group filled with brilliant teams.

Earlier, England opted to bowl first after winning the toss and their ploy to open the bowling with Moeen Ali worked perfectly. The off-spinner picked up two wickets and bowled four overs from one end and by the time he finished his spell, the West Indies had imploded. At the other end, Chris Woakes and other bowlers had fun picking wickets as well.

The Caribbean batters were in such a hurry that it seemed as if something more interesting was happening in the dressing room. At 42/6, one would’ve hoped for their remaining batters to show some patience and try and bat out the entire 20 overs.

But, including their skipper Kieron Pollard, they kept playing their shots and it played into the hands of Adil Rashid. The leggie bowled just 14 deliveries and ended up picking four wickets for just two runs. West Indies were skittled for just 55 runs in the 15th over.

The chase was never going to be tough for England but even they stumbled. Jos Buttler smashed a couple of boundaries to indicate a quick finish. But the Caribbean bowlers put up an admirable fight. Rampaul sent back Jason Roy while spinner Akeal Hosein affected a couple of brilliant caught and bowled dismissals of Bairstow and Livingstone.

Moeen Ali also got run-out and England were suddenly four down in the small chase. But the target of only 56 runs was never going to bother them and they comfortably reached home in the 9th over.

Top Performers

Adil Rashid –

It was the best time for Adil Rashid to come into the attack but West Indies still had two of their swashbucklers – Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard – in the middle. The leggie breached Russell’s defence with a brilliant delivery off the first ball of his spell and then ran through the rest of the line-up to end with the magical figures of 4/2 in just 14 balls of his spell.

Moeen Ali – The off-spinner was supposed to be filling in as the fifth bowler for England. He opened the bowling as well and did a fine job. Moeen bowled four overs on the trot from one end and picked wickets of Lendl Simmons and Shimron Hetmyer to end with 2/17. Though he couldn’t do much with the bat, Moeen’s efforts earlier in the game were enough for England.

Personal Milestones/Records

70 – England won this game with 70 balls to spare, the fourth biggest win in T20 World Cups in terms of balls remaining.

55 – West Indies registered the third-lowest total in T20 World Cups ever.

What next?

England will next Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on October 25 while the West Indies will face-off against South Africa in Dubai on October 26.