England have put up a stiff target of 192 for the West Indies on a better playing pitch at the Providence Stadium. It was a different pitch that was used from the opening game between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at this same venue. The batters could go through the line with utmost freedom and the result was England plundering a total of 191 for 5 after being put to bat first by Chris Gayle.
It was a 95-run stand for the 5th wicket between Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright that blasted England from trouble when they had lost Kevin Pietersen in the 10th over. England had slipped to 88 for 4 by then before Morgan and Wright got into the counter punch mode. Morgan scored 55 from 35 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes through his innovative sweeps and reverse sweeps even off the pacers! Luke Wright was murderous with an unbeaten 45 from 27 balls which included as many as four sixes! England had got off to a good start from new openers - Michael Lumb (28 from 18 balls) and Craig Kieswetter (26 from 14 balls which included three sixes).
Darren Sammy was the best bowler for West Indies, picking up two wickets for 22 runs in his four overs. The 18th over bowled by Ravi Rampaul was the turning point of the innings as England took 27 off that! The weather all of a sudden is looking gloomy and there could be a passing shower on its way! Windies will have to start off aggressively to take care of the D/L Method and at the same time ensure that the wickets do not go down.
