WINDIES THUMP ENGLAND IN FIRST TWENTY20
By The Third Umpire
Chris Gayle's Windies suddenly came to life and beat England by 15 runs in the first Twenty20 at the Brit Oval - despite Colly hitting 79 off 41 balls in his first game as England skipper
Colly led from the front as England chased the Windies' mighty 208/8. But his battling 79 off 41 balls (including four sixes and five fours) was not enough. He was out in the last over England finished on 193/7.
After a lacklustre tour that has lurched from crisis to fiasco to farce to shambles (you get the picture), the West Indies suddenly looked like a different team, as Chris Gayle took the helm.
On a great batting track, Gayle himself was skittled by Jimmy A for just 5, but Devon Smith's 61 off 34 and Marlon Samuels' 51 off 26 made England's bowlers labour. Samuels hit one six off Sidey Sidebottom that went right out of the ground - a rare occurrence at one of England's largest arenas.
Even Chanderpaul - The Crab - cast off his shackles to hit 41 off 26.
Mike Yardy, recalled to the side for the first time since the Champs Trophy was the pick of the bowlers, sending down four overs, 1/35. No player in world cricket had a better ODI economy rate last year and his speared-in left-arm spin was again valuable - making England's omission of Monty even more puzzling.
Colly the sheepish novice skipper lost the team a run at one stage when he failed to have enough men in the circle for a Powerplay;
There was better luck when a drive from Samuels hit the umpire and left non-striker Morton - who had charged down for a single - stranded.
Sidey ran him out by lifting all three stumps out of the ground. No, us neither.
In reply, England lost early wickets: Cook (15) looked out of place trying to slash at balls instead of playing for a draw; Cheese Prior opened with him and hit 25 off 14 before giving it away - then Colly's running out of KP left England 78/4.
After that, Colly himself (supported by Yardy's unbeaten 23) led the chase in vain - but England's ragged bowlers and the Windies' new batting power had left them too much to do.
Afterwards, Colly insisted that he didn't need a specialist Twenty20 team and that he was sure his current squad would 'adapt' to the format. But tomorrow's game is England's last scheduled Twenty20 before September's World Cup. So they better adapt quick.
We still reckon they should pick a specialist team and try and win the World Cup; the England selectors obviously don't agree. What do YOU think, readers? [email protected]
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