Holder takes 4 as England suffer 9-wicket loss to Windies

BRIDGETOWN, Jan 23: England's T20 International series against hosts West Indies got off to a disappointing start with the Eoin Morgan-led side suffering a nine-wicket defeat in a D/N match at the Kensington Oval on Sunday (IST).

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder came up with career-best T20 bowling figures of four wickets for seven runs in 3.4 overs as the hosts restricted England to just 103 in 19.4 overs. Then, an unbeaten half-century from Brandon King saw West Indies score an easy win in the opening game of the five-match series.

The hosts started the rot with the wicket of Jason Roy in the first over of play, and didn't look back in a dominating performance from their bowlers.

Kieron Pollard's men were unrelenting with the ball and in the field, restricting the tourists to 26/4 in the Powerplay. Holder claimed Tom Banton and Moeen Ali in successive deliveries, as Sheldon Cottrell (2/30 off four overs) made his mark at the other end.

Cottrell removed Roy, and the left-armer picked up James Vince (14 from 12 balls), who threatened to launch English resurgence.

The fourth wicket brought Sam Billings to the middle, just a week after his Test debut in Hobart against Australia. The wicketkeeper-batter was unable to hang around with captain Morgan, missing an Akeal Hosein delivery on the charge and stumped for just two.

On top of the West Indies' execution of plans, England's batting capitulation was as much down to mistakes at crucial moments, with a poor call running between wickets the reason for Liam Dawson's downfall.

Brief scores: England 103 in 19.4 overs (Chris Jordan 28; Jason Holder 4/7, Sheldon Cottrell 2/30) lost to West Indies 104/1 in 17.1 overs (Brandon King 52 not out) by 9 wickets. 

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