What a comprehensive thumping this young England side have handed out, rushing to a 10-wicket win with almost five overs to spare. It's hard, if not impossible, to fault England in any department. The West Indies openers got away from them a little at the start, but the bowling - led by Ravi Bopara - came back strongly, and the fielding, with two run-outs, was top notch. West Indies would have come into this match hopeful of unearthing some new talent, but they've left dejected. Read all about this resounding win in Andrew Miller's report, and if you're feeling particularly sadistic then check out our gallery. Bopara's figures were the best ever by an Englishman in a Twenty20 international, and this is England's first 10-wicket victory in Twenty20s. Says it all really.
"When we started batting we were right on course, but we lost our way from there and we never caught up," says a forthright Darren Sammy. "As soon as the spinners came on it started to turn a bit, we lost crucial wickets and we couldn't rotate the strike enough. It's something that's affected our game in 50-over cricket too, rotating the strike. But we're working on it. We were expecting our spinners to turn it more. Patel and Swann bowled much slower, found some turn." Sammy agrees that the fielding was sloppy, but in mitigation cites the very chilly weather out there tonight. "We had lots of footage of the england guys and we had plans on how we wanted to bowl to them, but we didn't execute them," he adds.
"I'll take that," says a beaming Graeme Swann. "I was delighted with the way everyone performed. Good old Ravi Bopara, he's been bowling me out for two years in the nets and I've told everyone he should bowl more. He did really well. It speaks greatly for the depth in the squad when we can leave someone like James Anderson out and still win like this. It bodes well. Even though we've not got a lot of international experience in this team, the guys have grown up playing twenty20 cricket and no-one panicked out there. Kiesy has already shown what he can do at this level, and this was an important knock for Halesy too."
Ravi Bopara is the Man of the Match. "I actually feel a bit embarrassed by having the best figures!" he jokes in his Essex-lilted tones "The lads played really well. I'm playing with more of a free spirit, which is definitely a big thing for me. The pitch was very similar to a subcontinental wicket, slow and low. We knew changes of pace would be vital. Swann asked me to bowl in the first six overs on, and I said 'are you having a laugh?' He put Samit on instead. It's a great dressing room, these young players are unbelievable. It's brilliant to see and its exciting for the fans."
And that's all from us tonight. Andrew McGlashan and Liam Brickhill have been your commentators, and Andrew Miller has been reporting from the ground. Thanks for joining us, I'm off to enjoy some birthday cake!
Dwayne Smith comes on to bowl what should be the last over on his international return.
END OF OVER:15 | 6 Runs | ENG: 124/0 (2 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 8.26, RRR: 0.40)
- Alex Hales62 (48b)
- Craig Kieswetter54 (47b)
- Chris Barnwell2-0-12-0
- Devendra Bishoo4-0-28-0
Sammy has seen enough of his legspinners, and Christopher Barnwell has been brought into the attack to bowl some seamers.
END OF OVER:14 | 5 Runs | ENG: 118/0 (8 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 8.42, RRR: 1.33)
- Alex Hales57 (44b)
- Craig Kieswetter53 (45b)
- Devendra Bishoo4-0-28-0
- Nkrumah Bonner2-0-18-0
END OF OVER:13 | 10 Runs | ENG: 113/0 (13 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 8.69, RRR: 1.85)
- Alex Hales55 (40b)
- Craig Kieswetter51 (42b)
- Nkrumah Bonner2-0-18-0
- Devendra Bishoo3-0-23-0
Bonner eventually seemed to be settling by the end of that over. You've got to feel for him.
END OF OVER:12 | 11 Runs | ENG: 103/0 (23 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 8.58, RRR: 2.87)
- Alex Hales54 (37b)
- Craig Kieswetter43 (38b)
- Devendra Bishoo3-0-23-0
- Nkrumah Bonner1-0-8-0
