Shai Hope, Motie Star In Low-Scoring Thriller As WI Upbeat World Champions
Shai Hope top-scored for West Indies chasing 133 [AP Photo]
Brief Scores | West Indies: 133-6 (19.2 overs) [Brandon King 43* (43), Sherfane Rutherford 30 (24); Adil Rashid 2/21 (4), Reece Topley 2/17 (4)] defeated England: 132 All Out (20 overs) [Philip Salt 36 (22), Liam Livingstone 28 (29); Gudakesh Motie 3/24 (4), Jason Holder 2/24 (3.3)] by four wickets.
One of the most thrilling T20I series in recent times ended with the hosts West Indies beating England in the final match of the five-match contest and clinching the series 3-2.
Gudakesh Motie's 3-for Restricts England Under 132
Asked to bat, England lost captain Jos Buttler early into the innings, with Jason Holder nabbing the in-form batter's wicket. Soon, the Will Jacks also went back into the pavilion, getting out for 5.
Centurian from the last two T20Is, Phil Salt slammed a quickfire 38 off 22 before falling prey to Gudakesh Motie. Harry Brook, too, fell cheaply for 7 to Motie. A small partnership brewed between Sam Curran and Moeen Ali helped England past the 100-run mark.
Akeal Hosein provided the Windies with the breakthrough getting Ali for 23, with Motie grabbing his third in the form of Livingstong a few overs later. Andre Russell finished off the tail, claiming quick wickets of Chris Woakes and Rehan Ahmed.
Curran became the final England wicket as Holder claimed his second and folded the visitors for 132.
Shai Hope Stars In Low-Scoring Chase For Windies
Chasing 133, Reece Topley grabbed the wicket of Brandon King for 3, and Woakes picked up Nicholas Porran for 10, which forced Windies on the back foot. New entrant Johnson Charles did display intent scoring a 22-ball 27, but fell victim to Adil Rashid.
In-form Shai Hope and all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford consolidated for the home side and stitched a 41-run stand, inching the Windies near 100. Rashid provided England with a sniff, getting Rutherford for 30.
Captain Rovman Powell and Russell failed to provide any heroics, getting nabbed by Topley and Curran, respectively. Unfazed, Hipe continued to hold one end of the track and kept the chase alive, with the match going into the final over.
Needing nine off one over, an inside edge helped Holder steal three runs on the first ball, while Hope finished the match in style, slamming a massive six to help his side past the finish line and win their second consecutive T20I series at home this year.
 "Vishal Mehra")
