In a scintillating display of power hitting, the West Indies blazed their way to a five-wicket victory over England in the fourth T20 International at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia. Chasing a mammoth target of 219, the hosts rode on a breathtaking 136-run opening partnership between Evin Lewis and Shai Hope to seal the deal with an over to spare.
A Runfest in Paradise
The stage was set for a high-scoring encounter as England, having won the toss, piled on a formidable 218/5 in their allotted 20 overs. The flat deck, short boundaries, and fierce crosswinds made life miserable for the bowlers, with a record-equaling 32 sixes being struck across the match.
England’s total, propelled by half-centuries from Phil Salt (55) and Jacob Bethell (62*), looked imposing at the halfway mark. However, it soon became apparent that no total was safe on this belter of a wicket.
Lewis and Hope Light Up Gros Islet
West Indies openers Evin Lewis and Shai Hope came out all guns blazing in pursuit of the stiff target. After a relatively quiet first two overs, the duo tore into England’s bowling attack, smashing 10 sixes between them in a whirlwind 136-run stand that came off just 9.1 overs.
Lewis, in particular, was in a murderous mood, slamming 68 off a mere 31 deliveries with six sixes. Hope proved to be the perfect foil, racing to a 24-ball 54. The onslaught left England shell-shocked and staring at an improbable defeat.
“It was perfect conditions for batting,” a dejected England captain confessed after the match. “We thought 218 was a good total, but Lewis and Hope made it look 100 under par.”
A Late Twist in the Tale
Just when it seemed like West Indies would canter home, a flurry of wickets threatened to derail their chase. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, on his T20I debut, triggered a mini-collapse that saw three wickets tumble in the space of three deliveries.
However, it proved to be a case of too little, too late for England, as Sherfane Rutherford slammed consecutive sixes to seal a famous five-wicket win for the hosts with an over to spare. The local crowd erupted in joy as their heroes pulled off a heist in the Caribbean.
Bethell Shines Amid England’s Disappointment
Amid the disappointment of the defeat, England could take solace in the continuing rise of young gun Jacob Bethell. The 21-year-old blasted his way to a rapid 62* off just 30 balls, bringing up his third international fifty with a hat-trick of sixes off Roston Chase.
“Bethell looks a real talent,” a team insider stated. “He’s got all the shots and fears no bowler. Definitely one for the future.”
While the series may be lost, England will look to salvage some pride in the final T20I on Sunday. West Indies, on the other hand, will be buoyed by this morale-boosting win and aim to end the tour on a high.
As the sun set on a pulsating day’s play in St Lucia, one thing was abundantly clear – in T20 cricket, no target is safe, and no match is over till the final ball is bowled. This West Indian victory will go down as one of the most thrilling chases in recent memory, a testament to the gloriously unpredictable nature of the game’s shortest format.
