England Lions demolish West Indies ‘A’ to take first T20

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Naavya Sharma claimed four wickets and captain Thomas Rew struck an unbeaten half-century as England Lions romped to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies ‘A’ in the opening T20 on Sunday.

After winning the toss and choosing to field at Conaree Sports Club, the visitors exploited disciplined bowling from Sharma and Scott Currie to dismiss the hosts for a modest 98 in 19.4 overs.

England then made light work of the chase, with Rew smashing an unbeaten 50 off 24 balls, including eight fours and a six, as the Lions raced to 101 for two in just 10.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

West Indies never gained any real momentum after being sent in to bat. Sharma made an immediate impact, trapping hard-hitting left-hander Zachary Carter lbw in the opening over with the score on six.

Kamil Pooran scored 14 off 11 balls before becoming Sharma’s second victim, leaving the hosts 21 for two in the third over.

Jewel Andrew and Alick Athanaze briefly counterattacked, adding 21 runs in two overs before pacer Eddie Jack dismissed Andrew for 11.

From there, West Indies struggled to build meaningful partnerships and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Athanaze was bowled by leg-spinner Calvin Harrison for 20 off 20 balls, while Shadrack Descarte, who laboured to 20 off 33 deliveries before becoming the first of Currie’s three victims, was the only other batter to reach double figures.

The innings unravelled late, with West Indies losing their last four wickets for just five runs to tumble from 93 for six to 98 all out.

Sharma finished with figures of 4-19, Currie took 3-11 and Harrison returned 2-16.

Early breakthrough wasted

Defending a small target, West Indies made the ideal start when fast-bowler Jahkeem Pollard had Ben McKinney caught at cover for a duck with the second ball of the innings.

However, Rew and Rehan Ahmed quickly swung the momentum back in England’s favour, plundering 53 runs from the next five overs and effectively ending any hopes of a Windies fightback.

Ahmed struck Pollard for two boundaries in an over that cost 10 runs, while Rew took charge against Stewart Thompson, hitting three consecutive boundaries in the following over as England piled on 16 runs.

Joshua James eventually broke the partnership, having Ahmed caught at backward square leg for 29 off 24 balls, leaving England on 53 for two after six overs.

Rew then dominated an unbroken 48-run stand with his batting partner, who finished on nine not out, as England coasted to victory.

The skipper brought up his half-century off just 24 balls by cutting Thompson behind square for two, with only three runs needed for victory.

The second T20 is scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.