Cricket

In a thrilling encounter at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, West Indies pulled off a remarkable five-wicket victory over England in the fourth T20I, narrowing the series deficit to 3-1.England, who had already secured the series, opted to bat first and posted a formidable total of 218/6. Phil Salt (55) and Will Jacks (54) provided a solid start, while Jacob Bethell's unbeaten 62 and Sam Curran's late cameo of 24 propelled the visitors to a challenging score.West Indies bowlers Alzarri Joseph, Rehan Ahmed, and Roston Chase claimed crucial wickets, but England's batters took advantage of the favorable batting conditions.In response, West Indies openers Shai Hope and Evin Lewis unleashed a blistering assault, putting on a 136-run partnership. Hope reached his half-century in just 23 balls, while Lewis smashed seven sixes in his 26-ball 68.England fought back with three quick wickets, but West Indies captain Rovman Powell (38) and Sharfane Rutherford (29) steadied the innings. Rutherford sealed the victory in style, smashing two sixes off Dan Mousley in the penultimate over to ensure the hosts reached the target with six balls to spare."Guys were more committed today," said Powell after the match. "The team showed a lot of fight, and 3-2 looks much better than 4-1. We'll aim to finish strong tomorrow."England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged the quality of the contest despite the loss. "I thought we had a great start and posted a strong score, but they played exceptionally well to chase it down," he said.The fifth and final T20I takes place on Sunday, with West Indies aiming to end the series on a high.

West Indies, after losing the first three matches of the five-match T20I series against England, finally won the toss and elected to bowl first in the fourth encounter at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia. England, who have already secured the series victory, made one change to their lineup, handing a T20I debut to 23-year-old fast bowler John Turner, who replaces Jofra Archer.West Indies, on the other hand, made two changes, bringing in Sherfane Rutherford for the injured Romario Shepherd and Obed McCoy for Terrance Hinds. Captain Rovman Powell expressed his team's determination to salvage some pride in the remaining matches, acknowledging the importance of starting well with the ball.England captain Jos Buttler praised his team's performance so far and emphasized the need to maintain their high standards. He believes that setting a competitive total and defending it effectively will be key to their success.The match was played on the same pitch used in the third T20I, where England emerged victorious by three wickets. The West Indies team includes Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, and Obed McCoy.England's lineup consists of Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, John Turner, and Saqib Mahmood.

West Indies have suffered another injury blow ahead of their remaining two T20Is against England, with Matthew Forde ruled out due to a thigh strain. Forde, who was initially called up as cover for the suspended Alzarri Joseph, sustained the injury in training ahead of the third T20I in St Lucia.Obed McCoy has been drafted into the squad as Forde's replacement. McCoy, who was unavailable for the start of the series due to an injury sustained during the CPL, last played for West Indies in their home series against South Africa in August.Forde's absence is a further setback for West Indies, who have already conceded the series to England after losing the first three matches. The hosts will be desperate to avoid a whitewash in the remaining two games, which will be played at the Daren Sammy Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.England, meanwhile, will be looking to secure their first series win in the Caribbean in any format since 2019. The tourists have been in impressive form throughout the series, with Jos Buttler leading the way with the bat and Adil Rashid excelling with the ball.The remaining two T20Is are set to be closely contested, with both teams having something to prove. West Indies will be determined to salvage some pride, while England will be keen to maintain their winning momentum and secure a comprehensive series victory.

England have extended their winning streak in the T20I series against West Indies, winning the toss for the third consecutive time and opting to bowl first in the third match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia. The toss was delayed due to overnight rain, but Jos Buttler maintained his perfect record in the series by choosing to field.England, seeking an unassailable 3-0 lead, made one change to their lineup, bringing in Rehan Ahmed as the primary legspinner in place of Adil Rashid. West Indies, on the other hand, made three alterations, welcoming back Alzarri Joseph from suspension and replacing Matthew Forde and Sherfane Rutherford with Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer.The first two matches of the series have followed a similar pattern, with England restricting West Indies to modest totals and chasing them down comfortably. The conditions in Saint Lucia are expected to favor batters once again, with the floodlights and dew creating a conducive environment for run-scoring. However, the recent rains have left the outfield slightly damp and sluggish.England hold a slight historical advantage at this venue, having won both previous encounters here, including an eight-wicket victory in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. West Indies will be eager to turn their fortunes around and avoid a series sweep.

England's T20 World Cup defense may have faltered in the Caribbean, but they have rebounded with a vengeance in the ongoing series against West Indies. After a dominant eight-wicket victory in the opening fixture, England has followed up with two more emphatic wins, putting them on the cusp of their second bilateral series triumph in two years.Phil Salt has been instrumental in England's success, scoring a century in the first match and a riotous 83 in the second. Captain Jos Buttler has also stepped up, hitting a blistering 83 in the second game. West Indies, on the other hand, have been hampered by lost tosses and internal disruptions, including the suspension of Alzarri Joseph and the injury to Andre Russell.England's all-rounders have been deployed effectively in the shorter format, with Sam Curran, Dan Mousley, and Jamie Overton waiting in the wings for their chance. The depth of their batting has yet to be fully tested, but the fact that they have options is a testament to their strength.West Indies' Rovman Powell has struggled for form, but he showed glimpses of his true self in the last match. Will Jacks, on the other hand, has failed to live up to expectations since earning a central contract.For the third match, West Indies have recalled Alzarri Joseph from suspension and added Shamar Springer as a replacement for Russell. England is unlikely to make significant changes, although Reece Topley may return from injury.The match will be played in St Lucia, where damp conditions could be a factor. West Indies have a 6-5 record in T20Is at the venue, but they have lost both previous encounters with England there.

Alzarri Joseph has been recalled to the West Indies squad for the final three matches of their T20I series against England, replacing Shamar Joseph. Joseph was suspended for two matches after leaving the field without permission during the third ODI against England. Andre Russell has been ruled out of the series with a left ankle sprain, with Shamar Springer coming in as his replacement.West Indies are 2-0 down in the series heading into the final leg in St Lucia. They need to win the third T20I on Thursday to keep the series alive.Joseph's return is a boost for the West Indies, who have struggled with their bowling in the first two matches. They have conceded 159 and 183 runs respectively, losing just five wickets across both fixtures in Barbados.Springer, who made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka last month, gives West Indies captain Rovman Powell more options to work with.The loss of Russell is a blow to the West Indies, who are already without several key players, including Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder, and Fabian Allen.Russell suffered the injury during the first T20I, and his absence will be a major setback for the West Indies. He is one of the most destructive batsmen in the world, and his bowling can also be very effective.West Indies T20I squad:* Rovman Powell (capt)* Roston Chase* Matthew Forde* Shimron Hetmyer* Terrance Hinds* Shai Hope* Akeal Hosein* Alzarri Joseph* Brandon King* Evin Lewis* Gudakesh Motie* Nicholas Pooran* Sherfane Rutherford* Romario Shepherd* Shamar Springer

England's Jos Buttler unleashed a blistering 83 off 45 balls to power his team to a commanding seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second T20I in Barbados. The victory gives England a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.Buttler's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he smashed eight fours and six sixes to leave the West Indies bowlers helpless. The skipper's exceptional batting display earned him the well-deserved "Man of the Match" award.England's chase got off to a shaky start when Phil Salt was dismissed on the first ball of the innings. However, Buttler's arrival at the crease injected immediate momentum into the innings. The Windies bowling attack, missing key players like Alzarri Joseph and Andre Russell, struggled to contain Buttler's onslaught.Debutant seamer Terrance Hinds, in particular, had a challenging introduction to international cricket, facing the brunt of Buttler's aggression. Buttler seemed destined for his second T20I century, but after being dropped by Sherfane Rutherford in the 13th over, he was caught out on the very next ball, attempting another big shot.Will Jacks provided solid support to Buttler during their 129-run partnership for the second wicket. Jacks contributed 38 runs off 29 balls, hitting five fours and one six, before falling to Romario Shepherd.Earlier, the West Indies innings were bolstered by Rovman Powell's knock of 43 off 41 balls and Romario Shepherd's quickfire 22 off 12 balls. Liam Livingstone was the pick of the England bowlers, finishing with figures of two for 16.England's dominant performance puts them in a strong position to secure a series victory in the remaining three matches, which will be played in St. Lucia, starting next Thursday. The victory also offers England a chance to avenge their 2-1 defeat to the West Indies in the preceding ODI series.

Catches Win Matches: Motie's Spectacular Catch Stuns Buttler in T20I OpenerIn the thrilling first T20I between West Indies and England at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, a breathtaking catch by Gudakesh Motie turned the tide of the match. England captain Jos Buttler, returning from a four-month injury layoff, was the unfortunate victim of Motie's brilliance.After winning the toss and electing to bat first, West Indies posted a competitive 182/9, thanks to Saqib Mahmood's 4/34 and Adil Rashid's 3/32. England's chase got off to a solid start, with Buttler looking in good touch.However, in the seventh over, Motie produced a moment of magic. Facing a short, slower delivery from Romario Shepherd, Buttler cut the ball towards third-man. Motie, positioned slightly wide, reacted with lightning speed, sprinting to his left and extending his left hand.In a gravity-defying moment, Motie snatched the ball out of thin air, inches from the boundary ropes. The official broadcaster captured the stunning catch on video, showcasing Motie's athleticism and quick reflexes.Buttler's dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match. Despite Philip Salt's unbeaten 103 and Jacob Bethell's unbeaten 58, England were unable to maintain the momentum. The Windies bowlers kept the pressure on, and England eventually fell short by 8 wickets.Motie's catch not only showcased his exceptional fielding skills but also highlighted the importance of fielding in modern cricket. With fitness levels at an all-time high, fielders are now capable of making spectacular saves and catches that can change the course of a match.

West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been handed a two-match suspension for storming off the field during the series-clinching ODI win over England. The incident occurred during Wednesday's game at Kensington Oval in Barbados, shortly after Joseph took the wicket of Jordan Cox in the fourth over.Joseph's departure left West Indies briefly down to 10 players before he returned for the sixth over. Cricket West Indies (CWI) has since released a statement condemning Joseph's behavior, stating that it "fell short of CWI's standards of professionalism.""Alzarri's behavior did not align with the core values that Cricket West Indies upholds," said CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe. "Such conduct cannot be overlooked, and we have taken decisive action to ensure the gravity of the situation is fully acknowledged."Joseph has since apologized for his actions, saying that "my passion got the best of me.""I have personally apologized to captain Shai Hope and my teammates and management," said Joseph. "I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans. I understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused."The suspension means that Joseph will miss the remaining two ODIs of the series against England. It is a significant blow to the West Indies, who are looking to build on their series win.Joseph's suspension is a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism on the field. Players are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values of the sport and their team. Joseph's actions have not only let down his team but also the fans who support them.