Can England Wrap Up The T20 Series?

England defeated the West Indies for only the fifth time in T20 internationals in the opening match of their series in St Lucia.

Eoin Morgan’s men were able to get over the line in their chase of 161, claiming the victory by six wickets. A half-century from Jonny Bairstow was the foundation of the successful pursuit of the total, while Joe Denly anchored the innings with a knock of 30.

Nicholas Pooran had propelled the hosts to the competitive score of 160, notching 58 from 37 deliveries. He was the only Windies’ batsman to find his form in the middle as Chris Gayle failed to fire for the first time in over a month.

England’s bowlers were on the spot for the majority of the innings. Tom Curran led the way with the ball, taking four wickets for 36 runs in his four overs. However, the key man in the victory was Adil Rashid as his 24 deliveries cost just 15 runs.

The Three Lions will be determined to end their time in the Caribbean with at least one series’ victory. Morgan will be determined to get his side over the line after missing out in the ODI series.

West Indies’ Top Batsman

Gayle endured a rare failure in the middle against England after his recent destruction of the tourists’ attack. He was dismissed for only 15 before he could hit his stride in the middle. The Windies’ top order was held in check by solid bowling from Curran, Rashid and Chris Jordan.

Pooran rose to the occasion in the middle order to produce a fine knock. He struck the ball with power out of the ground, smashing four sixes along with three boundaries. Pooran played with patience before cutting loose when the time was right.

Shimron Hetmyer could take heed from his team-mate. The 22-year-old has a great deal of potential as proven by his unbeaten century in the second ODI of the series. However, he has been hit and miss during the matches against England. Hetmyer will get it right on one occasion and he does have license at number three in the order. Back him to fire in Saint Kitts and Nevis at odds of 6.50Bet €100 to win €65011/2Bet £100 to win £650+550Bet $100 to win $6505.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$6505.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp650-0.1818Bet RM100 to win RM650  with Bet365.

England’s Top Batsman

Bairstow came to the fore when England needed him to fire at the top of the innings. It was not the best of knocks as he was dropped on a couple of occasions before finally falling for 60. However, the speed of his innings at the crease allowed the rest of the order to play at their own tempo. There was a little bit of pressure building on Bairstow, with Roy looking to recover from injury to get back into the fold. He would have breathed a sigh of relief to find his touch at the crease again.

One batsman that could be under the spotlight is Joe Root. The power hitting of T20 is not his forte, although he still has a mightily impressive record at the level. There was an opportunity to play off the striking of Bairstow, but he was dismissed in single figures for the second game on the bounce. Root has not been in prime form since making a century in the ODI opener at Bridgetown. He needs a score to get back in rhythm. Take him to lead the way at odds of 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450  with Bet365.

West Indies’ Top Bowler

The home side lacked the cutting edge from their bowling attack that secured the victory in St Lucia in the final ODI. Sheldon Cottrell claimed three wickets, dismissing Root and Alex Hales in the early stages of England’s innings. However, he did not receive the support from his team-mates. Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite and Ashley Nurse had solid figures, but lacked the penetration to put the Three Lions under serious pressure.

Holder has been consistent throughout the Test and ODI series against England. He was on the money and has caused the Three Lions problems. The Windies skipper has to ease the pressure on his senior bowler by chipping in with a few wickets. He has only taken eight wickets in the shortest form of the game, although he has nine appearances to his name. Holder has the quality for a three-wicket display or perhaps even more to lead the way at odds of 6.00Bet €100 to win €6005/1Bet £100 to win £600+500Bet $100 to win $6005.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$6005.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp600-0.2000Bet RM100 to win RM600  with Bet365.

England’s Top Bowler

Although Curran got the four wickets for the tourists, Rashid’s performance was the match-winner. The Yorkshireman has become England’s most important bowler in limited-overs cricket. When he performs it usually results in a victory for the Three Lions. Morgan has the ultimate confidence in the leg-spinner, utilising him in the latter overs of the innings. Rashid bowled with control to cost only 15 runs from his four overs, including taking the crucial scalp of Brathwaite.

As the Windies were unable to get after him, it resulted in wickets for the rest of the England attack. His development over the last four years has been crucial to England’s success. Rashid is now one of the best spinners in the world in 50 and 20-over cricket. The Windies will be wary of him once again in Saint Kitts, therefore back Rashid to lead the wicket column at odds of 3.75Bet €100 to win €37511/4Bet £100 to win £375+275Bet $100 to win $3752.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$3752.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp375-0.3636Bet RM100 to win RM375  with 888Sport.

Winner

England were able to see out a win with relative ease in the opening match of the series. However, they’ve struggled to maintain a run during this tour as the Windies have displayed the ability to fight back. The home side’s power hitters were unable to hit their stride last time out, but back them to find their way in the second match to guide their team to victory. Take the West Indies for the win at odds of 1.91Bet €100 to win €19191/100Bet £100 to win £191-110Bet $100 to win $1910.91Bet HK$100 to win HK$191-1.10Bet Rp100 to win Rp1910.9100Bet RM100 to win RM191  with Bet365.

Tips Summary

West Indies To Beat England 2nd T20
Friday 8th March 2019 20:00 GMT
Odds: 1.91Bet €100 to win €19191/100Bet £100 to win £191-110Bet $100 to win $1910.91Bet HK$100 to win HK$191-1.10Bet Rp100 to win Rp1910.9100Bet RM100 to win RM191

Shimron Hetmyer To Beat West Indies’ Top Batsman
Friday 8th March 2019 20:00 GMT
Odds: 6.50Bet €100 to win €65011/2Bet £100 to win £650+550Bet $100 to win $6505.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$6505.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp650-0.1818Bet RM100 to win RM650

Jason Holder To Beat West Indies’ Top Bowler
Friday 8th March 2019 20:00 GMT
Odds: 6.00Bet €100 to win €6005/1Bet £100 to win £600+500Bet $100 to win $6005.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$6005.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp600-0.2000Bet RM100 to win RM600

Joe Root To Be England’s Top Batsman
Friday 8th March 2019 20:00 GMT
Odds: 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450

Adil Rashid To Be England’s Top Bowler
Friday 8th March 2019 20:00 GMT
Odds: 3.75Bet €100 to win €37511/4Bet £100 to win £375+275Bet $100 to win $3752.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$3752.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp375-0.3636Bet RM100 to win RM375