West Indies Champions Defeat England to Edge Closer to WCL 2024 Semifinals

West Indies Champions edged closer to the semifinals of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024 with a win over hosts, England, at the County Ground in Northampton on Tuesday.

Chasing 210 to earn their second win, and keep their playoff hopes alive, the Windies lost Chris Gayle in the first over. Coming in one down, however, was fellow Jamaican, Chadwick Walton. The 39-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman hit nine fours and five sixes, and produced a 42-ball 85 that carried his team to victory.

Jason Mohammed’s 24-ball knock of 34 and Ashley Nurse’s 47-run innings on 25 balls propelled the West Indians to victory with just three balls left in the innings.

Samit Patel took two wickets. Ryan Jay Sidebottom, Bopara and Usman Afzaal got one each.

Earlier in the piece, England were put in to bat, and had a similar start to their visiting counterparts, losing Phil Mustard in the first over. He went LBW to Samuel Badree. Kevin Pietersen, though, put 42 runs on the tins off just 19 balls. Ian Bell was 97 from 64 balls. And Ravi Bopara hit 53.

England ended on 209-5 in 20 overs. Jerome Taylor, Ashley Nurse, Samuel Badree, and Daren Sammy took one wicket each. Taylor conceded just 27 runs from his four overs.

With four points from four matches, West Indies can seal their place in the next round with a win over Australia Champions on Wednesday, with time still to take in some Test cricket as West Indies face England in the opening fixture at Lord’s.

(TF)