Bridgetown (Barbados), Jan 27: West India rode on an electrifying maiden century by Jamaican allrounder Rovman Powell to beat England by 20 runs in the third T20I of the series and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Powell blazed to 107 off just 53 deliveries while senior batter Nicholas Pooran contributed a quick-fire 70 off 43 balls as West Indies posted a mammoth 224/5 in 20 overs. In response, wicket-keeper Tom Banton (73) and Phil Salt (57) scored half-centuries but England could manage only 204/9 in 20 overs to fall short by 20 runs. Romario Shepherd was the best West Indies bowler as he claimed 3/59. England won the toss and elected to bowl and they got early success when opener Brandon King (10) was bowled by pacer George Garton (1/57) with the score at 11 in the second over. Shai Hope too departed early, caught by Banton off Liam Livingstone for four. But Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell steadied the West Indies innings and quickly raised 122 runs for the third wicket to take them to safety. Jason Roy and Tom Banton gave England a good start as they raced to 61/1 in the powerplay but eventually fell short by 20 runs. (IANS)
Brief scores
West Indies 224/5 (20 Ovs)(Rovman Powell 107, Nicholas Pooran 70;
Reece Topley 1/30)
England 204/9 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 73, P Salt 57; Romario Shepherd 3/59)
