England Takes Unassailable 3-0 Lead in T20I Series with 3 Wickets Victory over West Indies
England secure a 3-0 lead in an entertaining third Twenty20 International thanks to a stellar performance by Saqib Mahmood and a composed chase by Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia.
England won by three wickets after a difficult chase in which the West Indies scored a below-average total of 145.
Key Performances and Match Scorecard
England 149 for 7 (Curran 41, Hosein 4-22) beat West Indies 145 for 8 (Powell 54, Mahmood 3-17, Overton 3-20) by 3 wickets.
Match Scorecard
With a powerplay of 3 for 17 and West Indies floundering at 37 for 5, Saqib Mahmood maintained his stellar form. He is the top wicket-taker in the powerplay during this T20I series because of his steady ability to provide early breakthroughs, which has changed the course of the match for England. Nicholas Pooran and the deadly Evin Lewis were among Mahmood’s victims; they were eliminated with forceful blows that missed their mark.
After a protracted injury layoff, Jamie Overton returned as a bowling all-rounder with a notable impact, taking 3 for 20. He was instrumental in halting the West Indies’ momentum with his dismissals of Romario Shepherd (30) and Rovman Powell (54). In addition to hindering the West Indies’ comeback, Overton’s performances demonstrated his variety and helped him reach a career milestone of 100 wickets in T20 cricket.
England had a rough start at 37 for 3, chasing a modest score of 146. Liam Livingstone’s 39 and Sam Curran’s well-balanced 41 off 26 balls kept England on course. Despite being dropped three times, Livingstone took use of his opportunities and scored important goals to relieve the burden.
Curran proved his ability in high-pressure chases by demonstrating maturity with the bat. During his innings, he hit a well-timed six against Gudakesh Motie and three straight boundaries into the point region. Curran’s developing reputation as a dependable finisher in England’s white-ball setup is cemented by this performance.
With a tenacious 54, his second half-century of the series, West Indies captain Rovman Powell once again took the lead. Powell entered the game in a vulnerable position, but his aggressive batting—which included eight sixes over the series—helped the West Indies rally from a disastrous 37 for 5. He and Shepherd’s partnership added 73 runs, but not enough to establish a target that could be defended.
With a remarkable 4 for 22 record, West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein kept the game going till the very last overs. His deft variations caused problems for England’s middle order, but the West Indies lost an opportunity to defend their score due to a lack of fielding unit support, which included several dropped catches.
Rehan Ahmed, who maintained composure to score the winning runs, replaced Adil Rashid after England attempted tactical adjustments. This triumph signified a change in England’s white-ball form since it was their second T20I series success in two years.
The way Jamie Overton performed after missing the T20 World Cup because of a back ailment is evidence of his tenacity. He is prepared to take over the middle-overs bowling position that England has been lacking since Liam Plunkett’s exit because to his combination of pace and deft variations, such as a slower ball that tricked Shepherd.
Sam Curran‘s undefeated streak in the T20 World Cup garnered media attention, and he is still a standout all-around player. Even though he hasn’t taken many wickets in this series, his steady middle-order batting performance gives England’s team a fresh perspective. In today’s chase, Curran’s ability to switch up his attack and locate limits under duress was crucial.
West Indies will be trying to recover some pride, while England will be aiming for a clean sweep with two games remaining in the series. As both teams continue to hone their tactics in preparation for future international obligations, the fourth Twenty20 International looks to be another exciting match.
