The West Indies started the T20I series with a bang, chasing down a decent target with relative ease. England appeared to be struggling to get out of the blocks and probably left 15-20 runs out there.
The Grenada National Cricket Stadium plays host to the next two T20Is in the series a ground that the hosts haven’t done very well at in the past. In six T20Is at the ground, the West Indies have secured just two wins. England have never played a T20I at the venue in St George’s.
To Win Match
Windies 10/11 | England 87/100
Andre Russell’s return came just in time to inspire a great West Indies win with a performance that reminds everyone of his incredible T20 prowess.
The West Indies only real failing across the first T20I came with their new ball options as England battered them in the powerplay as spinner Akeal Hosein and Jason Holder took the new ball.
Holder and Hosein both bounced back fairly well but they don’t look like the best new ball options with the likes of Romario Shepherd on hand.
The West Indies made the most of their deep batting to keep the tempo up despite a few wickets falling fairly early on in the chase.
England started the match well enough last time out but from the fall of the first wicket things started to unravel.
Harry Brook batting at No 5 in a T20 makes very little sense at all and moving him up to 3 or 4 would get England much better results.
Will Jacks has threatened to take off from No 3 and clearly has a license to get after the bowling and he might come off sooner rather than later.
Spinners Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid stood out for England as the seamers struggle to contain the Windies hitting.
Verdict: West Indies 10/11
The West Indies should have England matched if the tourists continue to misuse their batting resources.
