||Desk Report||

England won the second T20 against West Indies by 137-run, their margin of victory by runs, and clinched the 3-match series 2-0 in St Kitts on Saturday.

The hosts were all dismissed at 45 runs, the second lowest T20 total, just after the lowest ever score of 35 by Netherlands against Sri Lanka in 2014. Earlier, Sam Billings’ 88-run lifted England to 182 for 6.  But it was Chris Jordan, the fast bowler of the visitors, destroyed the Caribbean batting line-up, claiming 4 for 6.

 After winning the toss Windies decided to bowl first and got the early success as the visitors lost their four batsmen for a total of 32 runs. The two openers Jonny Bairstow dismissed for 1 and Alex Hales removed for 8, followed by captain Eoin Morgan for 1 and Joe Denly for 2. But Joe Root, who seemed out of the form, took the charge and added 82 runs along with Sam Billings in the fifth-wicket partnership.

Root scored 55 for 40 balls before being run out, but Billings continued and finally smashed 87 off 47 balls including 10 fours and 3 sixes. He was dismissed by Obed McCoy in the final ball of the innings, putting England up to 182 for 6. David Willey remained unbeaten for 13. Fabian Allen took 2 for 29 runs.

In chasing a competitive target of 183, the hosts lost Chris Gayle (5) for a total of 12, followed by another opener Shai Hope (7). Then Windies gradually lost their wickets. The highest individual runs for the home side was 10 made by two batsmen Shimron Hetmyer and Carlos Brathwaite.

Darren Bravo and Jason Holder dismissed for the naught while Nicholas Pooran and Fabian Allen scored 1 run each. Devendra Bishoo scored the second highest, 8 while Sheldon Cottrell added 2 runs for his side. Obed McCoy remained not out for 1. Jordan picked up 4 while David Willey, Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett took 2 wickets each.

England’s captain Eoin Morgan said after winning the match, “We adapted to the conditions really well. The partnership from Root and Billings was outstanding and from there we grabbed the momentum. I still think we have to keep learning.”

On the other hand, Windies skipper Jason Holder commented, “It was just one of those games. It was our worst batting performance. We have had more good days than England in this series. We gave away too many runs in the death overs. We didn't get any partnership at all. We have played some decent cricket in this series. We want to correct a few things going into the World Cup.”

Brief Score

England: 182/6

Billings 87, Root 55; Allen 2-29