It has been a thrilling series so far in the Caribbean and the hosts are now just won win away from clinching what would be a famous series win, and an important one for their ambitions moving forward. England, however, have a point to prove of their own and rarely go down with a fight in white-ball cricket. Who will come out on top? Read on for our full West Indies vs England Fourth T20 preview and prediction:
West Indies vs England Fourth T20 Preview and Prediction
Series So Far
It has been a series of highs and lows for both sides so far in Bridgetown. The West Indies got off to a flying start with the ball, bowling England out for 103 with Jason Holder the star man, taking career-best figures of 4/7. They chased down that modest target comfortably inside 18 overs and with nine wickets still in hand to take a 1-0 lead in the series. But England battled back in the second match, setting the West Indies a target of 172 on a difficult pitch.
England then had the West Indies reeling at 7-65, only for a lower-order fightback courtesy of Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hossain to breathe fresh life in to the West Indies. They ended up one run short of equalling England’s score, but the side took that momentum into the third match of the series. Lifted by a blistering century from the recalled Rovman Powell and Nicholas Pooran’s 70. England replied with 50s from Tom Banton and Phil Salt, but fell 20 runs short of victory.
Expected Teams
Brandon King and Shai Hope haven’t quite convinced at the top of the order yet, but they will surely be given at least the rest of this season to come good. Pooran was back in the runs, whilst Powell has surely earned himself a spell in the side. Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Jason Holder will anchor the middle order, with Romario Shepherd, Fabian Allen and Akeal Hosein capable of providing lower-order fireworks. Sheldon Cottrell, meanwhile, was the West Indies’ most economical bowler on a flat deck.
England will be without captain Eoin Morgan for the rest of the series. Jason Roy and Tom Banton will remain at the top of the order, with Banton impressing in his last knock with 73 off 39. James Vince, stand-in captain Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone all failed in the middle order. Phil Salt scored an impressive 57 on debut and may be promoted up the order. Harry Brook and George Garton will hope to improve with bat and ball. Adil Rashid and Reece Topley bowled well, but Tymal Mills struggled.
Prediction
If the West Indies can bat even nearly as well as they did in the last match, they should be able to beat England comfortably enough. On what looks like a relatively flat pitch, one suspects that winning the toss and setting a target will be important. And the team better placed to do that is probably the West Indies. They have the deeper batting line-up of the two sides, and notwithstanding the possible contributions of Roy, Banton and Salt, the more powerful batters. It should be close, but expect the hosts to edge it.
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