England storm to T20 series win over West Indies
England have moved into an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match T20 series against the West Indies with a nervy three-wicket win in St Lucia.
Saqib Mahmood's 3-17 took his tally to nine wickets in three T20s - eight in the powerplay - and reduced the West Indies to 5-37 before they recovered to post 8-145.
Jamie Overton claimed 3-20, including Rovman Powell for 54 off 41 balls, but England slipped to 3-37 in reply as left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein tied them in knots, finishing with 4-22.
Sam Curran was promoted one spot and contributed 41 off 26 balls on a slow pitch and Liam Livingstone was put down three times en route to 39 off 28 deliveries as England sealed victory in the final over.
England have now snapped a streak of five successive series losses in the Caribbean and while this match went to the wire, it continued a trend on this tour of the team who wins the toss winning the match.
However, having already lost their ODI series on this tour, a youthful England, missing a host of their leading stars due to Test team commitments, continued their turnaround in the damp St Lucian conditions.
When play started after a 50 minute rain delay, Powell's 73-run partnership with Romario Shepherd for the sixth wicket gave West Indies hope, but Overton took two wickets in three balls to put England firmly back in command.
Mahmood then continued his fine form with the ball, setting England up for their lowest run chase of the series so far.
Opener Phil Salt went from centurion in the first T20 to golden duck in the second, before falling early for just four as England's reply got off to a nervy start.
England skipper Jos Buttler managed just four, as did Jacob Bethell.
Sam Curran steadied the ship, top scoring with 41, while Livingstone lived dangerously before making the telling contribution that edged England over the line.
with PA