||Desk Report||

West Indies Captain Jason Holder said that they will ‘regroup and come back strongly’ after the first T20I defeat by 4 wickets against England on March 6 in St Lucia.

“We were scrappy in the field. The wicket was a bit two-paced but we bowled too many extras and missed too many chances. We'll regroup and come back strongly. Really happy that Pooran got runs,” the Caribbean skipper expressed his view.

However, the hosts have won the Test series 2-1 and shared the ODI series 2-2 against the visitors. But they have lost their first T20 and now are eyeing for the second T20 scheduled to be held in St Kitts on March 8.

Earlier, West Indies were restricted to a mediocre total of 160 for 8 after getting an invitation to batting by the visitors. Nicholas Pooran smashed the highest score for the home side 58 off 37 balls including 3 fours and 4 sixes. Among others, Darren Bravo scored 28 while Chris Gayle scored 15 and Shimron Hetmyer 14. Ashley Nurse remained unbeaten at 13. England’s Tom Curran proved his worth as the fast bowler took 4 for 36. Chris Jordan claimed 2 for 16.

In reply, Jonny Bairstow smashed his highest T20 score, 68 off 40 balls including 9 fours and 2 sixes that led his side to 161 for 6 in 18.5 overs. In the beginning, England stumbled as they lost two wickets of Alex Hales (11) and Joe Root (0) for a total of 32. But Bairstow took the command and continued his innings. He made a 51-run pair with captain Eoin Morgan in third wicket-stand, before Morgan’s departure for 8.

Finally, Bairstow also sent back and England again found them into trouble. But this time, Joe Denly and Sam Billings added the second highest partnership of 50-run in fifth wicket-stand and led the visitors on the verge of victory. David Willey and Tom Curran remained unbeaten respectively at 1 and 2. Sheldon Cottrell took 3 for 39.

Brief Score

West Indies: 160/8

Pooran 58, Curran 4-36