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The West Indian cricket team has not had the best few years; their last world cup win came in 2016 when they beat England after Carlos Braithwaite unleased a flurry of sixes all around the park. However, following their world cup triumph, their team hasn’t been able to put on any memorable performances. The flare that we usually associate with the West Indian players is missing, and that was evident during the 2021 edition of the T20 world cup. However, their recent win over England in Barbados would be a huge boost for the team.
West Indies were batting first, and they were able to put on a total of 224 at the loss of 5 wickets in just 20 overs. Nicholas Pooran helped the team by scoring a crucial 70 runs off 43 balls; however, he was not the main star of the show; that crown goes to Rovman Powell. The batter was able to hit 107 runs off 53 balls. This included ten sixes as he punished the England bowling attack and was able to hit his first T20 century.
His partnership with Nicholas Pooran set the tone for the match, and it was clear that one team was on top. England came in next with their openers Tom Banton and Phil Salt, who was debuting for his team. Banton helped the England scoreboard with a quick 73 off 39 deliveries, Salt, on the other hand, didn’t hold back either and hit 57 runs off 24 balls. However, after the opening partnership fell, the England batters weren’t able to capitalize on the strong start that their openers gave them.
After England’s top order collapsed, the team was only able to reach a total of 204 with the loss of 9 wickets and lost the game by 20 runs. This victory gave the West Indies a much needed lead of 2 – 1 in the five match series. Two more games will be played on Saturday and Sunday.
When the West Indian openers started their innings, Powell took ten deliveries to get a feel of the ball and the conditions. Once those initial ten deliveries had passed, he unleashed his power hitting capabilities and hit the ball all over the ground. He started hitting the sixes on the pacers, but when the England captain tried to negate this effect, he employed the services of his spinners, but to no avail. Powell was in top form, and it didn’t matter who the bowler was on the other end.
Powell made his T20 debut in 2017. However, he was not able to establish or justify his place on the side. However, with this performance, he has proven what he is capable of and can be an important part of the West Indian team in the upcoming world cup at the end of the year. West Indian batters have a tendency of giving a few performances that can win them even the most difficult of matches.
