Destroy or get destroyed. That’s one way to sum up the West Indies batting, which pressed the “self-destruct” button as England cantered to a six-wicket win in their T20 World Cup campaign opener at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.
It certainly was sweet revenge of the 2016 World T20 final for Eoin Morgan and Co. Opting to bowl first, they first bundled the holders out for 55 and then reached the target comfortably with as many as 70 balls to spare in a game lasting only 22.4 overs.
For such a terrible start to their title defence, the Windies have only their substandard batting to blame. Taking nothing away from the English bowlers, the shot selection of most of the Windies batsmen was appalling to say the least.
Barring Chris Gayle, who was caught a tad off-guard by the extra bounce that comeback man Tymal Mills generated, and Andre Russell, whom Adil Rashid cleaned up with a superb wrong ’un, almost all other Windies batsmen played atrocious shots to throw their wickets away.
The list also includes captain Kieron Pollard, who ought to have taken more responsibility, especially as he was batting with the tail. More than seven overs remained after Pollard’s departure.
As for England bowlers, all of whom were among the wickets, Rashid finished with dream figures of 2.2-0-2-4, while Moeen Ali (2/17) and Mills (2/17) too had impressive numbers to show. Moeen too did a decent job bowling with the new ball.
Lowest totals
West Indies’ 55 all out versus England in Dubai on Saturday is the third lowest total in T20 World Cups. The 55-run total ranks joint 14th in the overall list of lowest totals in T20Is. Following is the list of the top-5 lowest totals in T20 World Cups:
- 39 in 10.3 ovs, Netherlands vs SL (Chittagong, March 24, 2014)
- 44 in 10 ovs, Netherlands vs SL (Sharjah, Oct. 22, 2021)
- 55 in 14.2 ovs, WI vs England (Dubai, Oct. 23, 2021)
- 60 in 15.3 ovs NZ vs SL (Chittagong, March 31, 2014)
- 68 in 16.4 ovs Ireland vs WI (Providence, April 30, 2010)
Mohandas Menon
