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In a scintillating opening clash of the five-match T20I series at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, the West Indies emerged victorious against England by securing a convincing four-wicket win. The star of the match was the Caribbean powerhouse, Andre Russell, whose exceptional all-round performance earned him the well-deserved “Player of the Match” title.
England’s innings: A rollercoaster ride
Asked to bat first, England posted a competitive total of 171/10 in 19.3 overs. Philip Salt‘s explosive 40 off 20 balls, accompanied by Jos Buttler‘s solid 39, set the stage for the visitors. However, England faced continuous setbacks as wickets fell at regular intervals. Despite their efforts, the English batters could only manage 171 runs before being bowled out in 19.3 overs. The standout bowling performance for the West Indies came from Russell, who claimed three crucial wickets for just 19 runs in his four overs.
West Indies’ power-packed reply
In response, the West Indies showcased a dominant batting display, securing victory with a total of 172/6 in 18.1 overs. Kyle Mayers‘ quickfire 35 off 21 balls and Rovman Powell‘s crucial 31 off 15 contributed significantly to the successful chase. Nevertheless, it was Russell who stole the limelight with his explosive knock of 29 runs off 14 deliveries. The right-handed batter hammered two sixes and as many fours, steering his team to a convincing four-wicket win. Rehan Ahmed of England managed to grab three wickets for 39 runs in his four overs, but it wasn’t enough to halt the West Indies’ charge.
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Andre Russell’s heroics: The turning point
Russell’s impactful all-round performance, featuring both his batting prowess and bowling mastery, earned him the coveted “Player of the Match” title. His crucial contributions with the ball and the bat played a pivotal role in West Indies’ triumph, setting the stage for an exciting series ahead.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
West Indie🅷s win again👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. First T20 I in the bag. Very powerful performance.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
West Indies have beaten England by 4 wickets in the first T20I of the CG United 5-match series in Bridgetown, Barbados. They replied to England's 171 all out in 19.3 overs by scoring 172/6 in 18.1 overs.
Great cricket from 🅰our WI team. Big shoutout to head coach Daren Sammy.
— Stan Bishop 🌍 (@StanBishop14)
DRE RUSS IS BACK AND HOW 🔥🔥🔥
Playing his first T20I after two years, Andre Russell wins Player of the Match award against England. He re🧸turned figures of 3/19 with the ball and then smashed 29* off just 14 balls to win the match for West Indies. Crazy comeback 👏🏼👏🏼
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan)
3-19 for Andreꦚ Russell on his comeback for West Indies, balancing the attack perfectly.
Russell at his best adds so much to West Indies's side. With him at 7, and Holder, Shepherd and Hosein to follow, West Indies bat incredibly deep
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig)
DRE RUSS is Back! 💜💛
West Iꩵndies has added Andre Russell to their T20Is squad for the upcoming series against England. Russell, who last featured for West Indies at🐓 the T20 World Cup in 2021, is set to make his return to the team
Go Well Big Man 💪🏻
— Swapnil Vats (@iamswapnilvats)
WEST INDIES WON THEIR FIRST T20 MATCH AGAINST ENGLAND!!!
*What a Comeback by Andrew Russell He Bowl 4-19-3wicket.
And a Good finishing Role with bat as💟 well 29(14)*🫡🫡🫡.— Cricfobia (@Cricfobia22)
West Indies beat England by 4 wickets spearing 11 balls… Andre Russell 29* (14) and 4-19-3 made it possible an easy win .. They are 1-0 up in 5-match series
— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan)
A great per🥃forma﷽nce after a 2 year absence from WI cricket for Andre Russell.
The use of conditions with his deceptive varia🧜tions and his pace with the new ball awarded him career best figures of 3-19.
Then we saw his trademark power with the bat to win i🤪t �𒐪�
— Nikhil Uttamchandani (@NikUttam)
Andre Russell madness in Barbados…!
– 29* off 14 balls with a bat.
– 3 for 19 in 4 overs with a ball.Fantastic Comeback from Andre Russell!!!
— Jaya Suriyan (@_jayasuriyan_)
🚨 : ANDRE RUSSELL IS BACK INTO TO FORM:
He arrived into International T20I after 2 years,he is aiming only 'MOM' award ,these are Russell things , that's incredible confidence 🏏😎 . | | |
— (ZEESHAN)®08 (@Muhamma15874875)
ANDRE RUSSELL IS BACK…..!!!! 🔥
Playing his first T20I after🦄 2 long years, he took 3 for 19 from 4 overs and 29*(14) against Defending Champions England.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
3-19(4) and 29(14)*
Whatta comeback 🎀to the International squad for the big man Andre 𓆉Russell🔥
— 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐨 Das (@SergioCSKK)
Andre Russell wins Player of the Match award against England. He returned figures of 3/19 in 4 overs with the ball and then smashed 29(14) to win the match for West Indies.
Playing hi♔s first T20I after two years for Westindies, 🔥🔥— rameshwar sunthliya (@rameshwarsunth1)
WEST INDIES DEFEATED ENGLAND IN FIRST T20i MATCH BY 4 wickets
Comebaꦫck Star Andre Russ🃏ell is become "PLAYER OF THE MATCH"ENG: 171-10 (19.3) SALT 40(20), Andre Russel 3/19
WI: 172/6 (18.1) HOPE 36(30), Rehan Ahmed 3/39
— SiD'haNt K'BR (@Sidhant_KBR6508)
What a comeback✨✨
29* (14) with the bat 🔥
4-0-19-3 with the 🔥
West Indies win the 1st T20I vs England
— sdn (@sdn7_)
West indies ღBeat Englandও in First T20I By 4 wickets.
The hoꦦsts go 1-0 up in the five-match series against England.
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888)