England clinched a T20 series victory over the West Indies with two games to spare after a thrilling final-over win in St. Lucia. Despite a lengthy rain delay, England’s bowlers initially dominated, reducing the West Indies to 37 for five, but a resilient half-century from captain Rovman Powell helped the hosts reach a more competitive 145 for eight.
In response, England faced a challenging chase as wickets fell steadily. However, late-game heroics from Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran steadied the innings, securing England’s first white-ball series win in the Caribbean since 2019. Livingstone’s 39 and Curran’s top score of 41 ultimately saw them over the line in a nervy finish.
Bowlers Shine in Collective Effort
England captain Jos Buttler praised the team’s performance, particularly in the powerplays, which have consistently set a strong tone throughout the series. Saqib Mahmood led the bowling attack with an impressive three for 17, while Jamie Overton’s two-wicket burst halted a West Indies resurgence led by Powell and Romario Shepherd, who put together a crucial 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
England’s bowling performance marked a positive turnaround after a challenging year in white-ball cricket, following disappointing showings at both the ODI and T20 World Cups.
Top-Order Struggles, Curran and Livingstone Deliver in the Chase
England’s run chase got off to a shaky start, with opener Phil Salt out for just four and Buttler also dismissed for the same score. All-rounder Sam Curran steadied the innings with 41, while Livingstone’s gritty 39—despite two dropped catches—proved essential as England eked out a narrow win.
West Indies captain Powell acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggles with top-order collapses, noting that early wickets make the middle overs challenging. He commended his partnership with Shepherd but highlighted the need for more consistency and smarter play to avoid early setbacks.
