England survive late batting onslaught to beat West Indies and level the series

England hung on to beat West Indies by one run in Bridgetown despite a record-breaking 10th-wicket partnership between Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hosein.

When Fabien Allen fell for 12 with the hosts in need of 74 runs from 29 deliveries, the fixture appeared to be a foregone conclusion, with very few envisioning the late repel from both Shepherd (44) and Hosein (44) that culminated in the highest-ever T20I 10th-wicket partnership in a match between two full ICC members.

Jason Roy (45) and Moeen Ali (31) stood out with the bat following England’s capitulation in the first match of the series before Barbados-born Chris Jordan (27) provided another late injection of boundary-hitting to elevate his side to a score of 171.

The tourists began efficiently with the ball too as Reece Topley pinned Brandon King for LBW and produced a magnificent, diving run-out to dismiss Shai Hope (2) leaving West Indies at 6-2. Ali and Adil Rashid also starred, finishing with respective figures of 3-24 and 2-24.

Shepherd initially began the fightback by utilizing his dominating frame to bludgeon two sixes from Liam Dawson’s one and only over whilst also sending a Rashid delivery straight back into the Joel Garner Stand. However, it was back-to-back sixes and a total of 23 runs from the 18th over which firmly put Kieron Pollard’s men back in contention for a famous victory.

Nonetheless, needing 30 from six balls was always a stern task for the hosts but that did not prevent Hosein from firing a remarkable 28 runs, including three consecutive sixes, off the final over which was bowled by Saqib Mahmood. As a matter of fact, the Lancashire bowler can count himself somewhat fortunate that his first legal delivery was deemed not to be wide, meaning he avoided mass humiliation that would have come with defeat.

Eoin Morgan will be grateful that Topley executed the 19th over superbly, conceding only eight runs from it, although, the England captain will recognise the match should never have reached such an eventful climax.

Tom Banton (25) appeared to be in fine touch alongside Roy at the top of the order with the likes of Sheldon Cotterell and Jason Holder failing to generate as much havoc as they did last time out.

Allen would react well to take a catch off his own bowling to remove Banton before finding the top of the off-stump to dismiss James Vince for four.

Morgan (13) failed to make a meaningful contribution and the same could be said for Sam Billings (5) and Dawson (4). Yet, it was England’s spinners who inflicted the damage that ensured they would level up the series.

Nicholas Pooran (24) and Darren Bravo (23) enabled their side to recover, enjoying a partnership of 41 for the third wicket before Ali saw off the former.

Two incorrect umpiring decisions were overturned to hand Rashid the wickets of Pollard (1) and Bravo, while Ali caught Holder well off his own bowling and dismissed Odean Smith to leave West Indies at 65-7 and with, just about, too much work to do.

The third match of the five-game series begins on Wednesday evening with both sides having won one match each.

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