Only five overs of play was possible in the fifth and final T20I between West Indies and England, as rain put paid to the hosts' plans of reducing the series deficit at the Daren Sammy International Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet on Sunday, November 17. (More Cricket News)
Openers Evin Lewis and Shai Hope took the home team to 44 for no loss with one over to go in the powerplay, before a heavy storm set in at the venue. As it turns out, that was the final on-field action to be witnessed on the tour.
Though he did not play the final game and was replaced by Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood was adjudged the Player of the Series as the leading wicket-taker with nine dismissals at an average of 10.55 and economy rate of 6.33, with a best of 4 for 43 in the first T20I. The next best was West Indies' left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein with five scalps.
Earlier, Jos Buttler called it right at the toss and opted to field first.
West Indies Vs England, Playing XIs
England (Playing XI): Philip Salt(w), Will Jacks, Jos Buttler(c), Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, John Turner
West Indies (Playing XI): Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran(w), Rovman Powell(c), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein
Explaining his decision to field first, Jos Buttler said: We are going to bowl again. Looks like a really good wicket. Two changes. Rashid and Jofra Archer come in. We had a high-scoring game yesterday, we'll try to learn from that. We did a pretty good job (with the ball), a couple of really big overs. Setting the tone with the ball today, we'll try to do a good job today.
His opposite number, Rovman Powell said: "It's a case of us following the same template today. IF you bat first, you got to bat really good. The guys are upbeat. We have one change. McCoy misses out, Romario Shepherd comes in. It's been five games, the bodies wear and tear, that is something we have to keep monitoring. It's important (to finish 3-2). The fans would hope that WI play good, We want to put smiles on their faces."
