NAVI MUMBAI – The West Indies Masters produced a fine all-around effort to edge England Masters by eight runs in a thrilling contest when the International Masters League (IML) continued in India on Thursday.
Chris Gayle topscored with 39, Dwayne Smith added 35, while Narsingh Deonarine smashed an unbeaten 35 and Ashley Nurse made 29, as the West Indies Masters posted 179 for six in their 20 overs.
England Masters endured a tough start and despite a late fightback, could only muster 171 for eight from their 20 overs, with Sulieman Benn (2-11) and Ravi Rampaul (2-38) being the main destroyers.
Gayle and Smith gave the West Indies a blistering start after they were sent in to bat, adding 77 runs for the first wicket in seven overs.
However, England’s spinners, led by Chris Schofield and Monty Panesar, seized the momentum with key wickets to reduce the West Indies to 113 for five at the end of the 15th over.
It took the efforts of Deonarine and Nurse to get them up to their eventual total, as they collected 66 runs from the last five overs.
Pacers Rampaul and Taylor then struck early blows to see England collapse to 76 for five at the halfway stage in their run chase.
A 52-run partnership between Chris Schofield (32) and Chris Tremlett (26) briefly revived England’s hopes, but with 18 needed off the final over, they could only muster 10 runs.
CMC
