Cricket: West Indies v England T20 Series - Match Three Preview

West Indies v England 

Five-match T20 series – Match Three, January 26

Kensington Oval, Barbados (8pm UK)

A low-scoring game followed by a high-scoring affair. The Kensington Oval pitches are proving difficult to read.

England have been nowhere near top gear in either game, though batted impressively on Sunday evening in posting an unassailable 171-8. 

The West Indies (170-8) did their best to reel in the target, hitting 28 off Saqib Mahmood’s final over when 30 were needed.

There has been clear rust for England both with bat and ball. But, as has been said previously, they are the number two ranked T20 side in the world for a number of reasons.

One of those is the depth of talent available. And despite being without a host of senior players, the players in the West Indies are still superior to the hosts.

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Moeen Ali was player of the match on Sunday with a 24-ball 31, including a six, and 3-24 with the ball. 

The only thing missing was a catch.

Betfair’s Sportsbook have him at 13/2 to hit a six, take a wicket and take a catch (he has been fielding at slip) tomorrow night. 

That would seem a very realistic prospect for England’s senior all-rounder on tour.

Looking along the same lines, West Indies captain Kieron Pollard is an appealing 11/1 – also with Betfair – to do exactly the same for the hosts. 

In the second game on Sunday, he took a wicket and a catch, with the only thing missing a six.

A Pooran party looks like it’s getting closer

Nicholas Pooran has only posted two half-centuries in his last 20 internationals dating back to last July. 

He really has struggled for form of late, including a horror run in the 2021 Indian Premier League when he scored only 85 runs in 12 matches at an average of 7.72 for Punjab Kings.

However, in the opening two games of this series, he has encouraged with scores of 27 not out and 24.

A substantial knock from one of the world’s most powerful batters doesn’t look too far away.

The left-handed number three is 15/4 to be the West Indies’ top batter with Virgin Bet, who favour openers Shai Hope and Brandon King at 7/2.

Overdue Pooran would be my choice.