England fought back to win a nail-biting encounter by one run and level the Twenty20 series against the West Indies 1-1 tonight at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Sent in to bat, the tourists improved on Saturday’s dismal batting performance to reach 171-8 in 20 overs.
Opener Jason Roy hit an impressive 45 from 31 balls, including six fours and two sixes before he was caught by Windies skipper Kieron Pollard at long on to fall five runs short of his eighth half-century in the shortest format.
All-rounder Mooen Ali chipped in to score 31 while home-town boy Chris Jordan struck 27.
In reply, both Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hosein were unbeaten with their highest scores of 44 to produce a 72-run partnership, the second-highest ever for the ninth wicket in T20 international cricket.
England’s Ali had career-best figures of 3-24 but Hosein hit three consecutive sixes off Saqib Mahmood in a dramatic, tension-filled final over. The series continues on Wednesday. (AGB)