Powell powers West Indies to series lead over England
Updated: Jan 28, 2022
West Indies now lead their home series against England two to one with two matches remaining after a brilliant batting spell by Rovman Powell.
Rovman Powell scored a hard hitting century in the West Indies third T20 international against England, to lead the home side to a 20-run victory in their five-match series in Barbados.
Powell’s maiden ton included 10 sixes, where he smashed a brilliant 107 off 53 balls.
Player of the match Rovman Powell noted that in the past he had trouble defending against wrist spin, which he has been working on.
"You know it’s just doing some research. You know all great players have spin do three things; it’s either they advance down the wicket, it’s either they sweep or they use the crease very well you know.”
He said.
“I decided in the last three months I would incorporate two of them into my game. You know I start to sweep a little more, and start to advance down the wicket a little bit more – and I think that showed tonight.”
Making his first appearance of the series after being called up to bolster West Indies' batting in place of allrounder Odean Smith, Powell did exactly what his side asked of him.
“I think my biggest motivation is that me as a boy is a boy that always dreamed to play for West Indies. You know it’s just unfortunate that I’m in and out, and it’s also unfortunate that playing for West Indies we haven’t had a lot of victory.”
The West Indies line-up was hardly tested in pursuit of a paltry 104 in Saturday's nine-wicket victory but stumbled badly on Sunday when they were forced to rely on ninth-wicket stand of 72 between Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hosein to get within two runs of victory.
On this occasion, Powell and Pooran got the hosts firing.
Powell muscled the hosts forward with an astonishing century amid a 122-run stand for the third wicket with Nicholas Pooran, who assisted with a sublimely crafted 70 off 43.
In response, England's inexperienced team - which had undergone no less than five changes through illness, injury and rotation were not able to bring the match back into their favour.
West Indies ended the match 224-5. The final two T20s will be played on Saturday and Sunday. (ESPN Cric Info)
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