Tom Curran picked up career-best bowling figures in the first T20I against the unpredictable West Indies in St Lucia to help England to victory, and clinches Tuesday’s Turbo Bowler award, writes ANITHA MADIKIZELA.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, England had a fantastic time with the ball and in the field as they restricted the home side to just 160-8 off their allotted 20 overs. Curran was the pick of the English bowlers with his return of 4-36 that included 11 dot balls from his four overs.
READ ALSO: Curran taking ‘small steps’ to World Cup berth
The all-rounder made early inroads into the Caribbean batting order by dismissing rising West Indian stars Shai Hope (6) and Shimron Hetmyer (14) before they could do any real damage.
A good powerplay for England with three West Indies wickets falling, two for Tom Curran and one for Chris Jordan. The hosts are 43/3 after 6 overs.#WIvENG LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/iiYUfxW7pp pic.twitter.com/GIMWWIun6Q
— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2019
He then returned in the death overs to knock over Nicholas Pooran on 58 (37 balls, 3×4, 4×6) with a length delivery that rattled the well-set batsman’s middle stump. He rounded off his spell by dismissing West Indies captain Jason Holder (7) with the final ball of the innings to restrict the home side to a precarious offering of 160-8 from their 20 overs.
England strolled to a comfortable four-wicket victory with seven balls to spare after Jonny Bairstow lit up the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium with a blistering 68 off just 40 balls (9×4, 2×6). The visitors take a 1-0 series lead into the second encounter in St Kitts.
Jonny Bairstow's 68 guides the chase for England to take a 1-0 T20I series lead; West Indies underpar in the field after Tom Curran's 4/36 helped set up a four-wicket victory for the visitors in Saint Lucia.#WIvENG SCORECARD➡️ https://t.co/iiYUfxW7pp pic.twitter.com/l8OaNE7eXa
— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2019
Curran’s spell went a long way to securing the win and will go down as his best figures in T20Is, eclipsing his previous best of 3-33 recorded nearly two years ago against South Africa in Taunton.
READ ALSO: Curran brother to play club cricket in Cape Town
The West Indies will have to up their game in the second T20I in St Kitts on Sunday if they plan to stop England from securing an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
Photo: Randy Brooks/AFP/Getty Images
