In an encounter full of errors from the hosts in St. Lucia, England secured a decisive victory over West Indies in the third T20I, clinching the series with two matches still to play. The match highlighted the significance of capitalizing on opportunities, as multiple dropped catches by the West Indies proved costly. Set a target of 146, England’s chase was marked by resilience and strategic partnerships, ultimately leading to a three-wicket win with four balls to spare.

A rocky start for England

England’s innings began on shaky ground, losing early wickets and finding themselves at 37 for 3 within the first six overs. Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and Jacob Bethell all fell cheaply, raising concerns about their ability to chase down the modest target. However, Sam Curran emerged as a stabilizing force, scoring 41 runs and forming crucial partnerships with Will Jacks (32) and Liam Livingstone (39) that would prove vital for England’s success.

West Indies’ dropped catches cost them the series

Livingstone’s innings was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Dropped on three occasions by Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer. at scores of 6, 8, and 21 respectively. The England all-rounder capitalized on his luck to contribute significantly to the chase. Each missed catch allowed England to build momentum, further slipping from the West Indies’ control. Livingstone’s eventual score of 39 was pivotal as he helped steer his team closer to victory, demonstrating that fortune often favours the bold in cricket.

Also READ: Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton sizzle in England’s series-clinching win over West Indies in 3rd T20I

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Dropped catches lose matches 🫣

Multiple missed chances proved to be costly for West Indies as Livingstone went on to help England seal the T20I series. 💪#WIvENGonFanCode pic.twitter.com/2RArXftsMk

— FanCode (@FanCode) November 15, 2024

West Indies’ struggles with discipline

The West Indies’ innings had its own challenges, particularly in the early overs. Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood wreaked havoc on their batting lineup, claiming three wickets for just 17 runs. The hosts found themselves in dire straits at 39 for 5 after a dismal start, with captain Rovman Powell’s resilient half-century (54) being the only bright spot in an otherwise lacklustre performance. The inability to build partnerships and the reckless dismissal of top-order batters proved detrimental.

With this victory, England have taken an unassailable lead in the five-match series, showcasing their depth and adaptability in challenging conditions. The West Indies will need to regroup quickly as they face England again in the fourth and fifth matches scheduled for this weekend. As both teams prepare for these crucial encounters, the focus will be on execution and seizing opportunities – elements that could define the outcome of this series moving forward.

Also READ: WI vs ENG 2024: West Indies’ best playing XI for the remaining three T20Is against England

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