England lose by 30 runs to West Indies in T20 World Cup group stages

England suffered their first defeat at the T20 World Cup when they were comprehensively beaten by West Indies in their Group C encounter on Wednesday.

Captain Harry Brook and Co were beaten by 30 runs in Mumbai as they tried and failed to chase their target of 197.

England made a bright start to their run chase but collapsed from 74-1 to 166 all out as the West Indies completed a deserved victory.

The 2022 champions succumbed to slow left-armers Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein and off-spinner Roston Chase – with Sam Curran’s batting giving them hope during the second-half of the innings.

However, the all-rounder was left stranded on an unbeaten 43 as England were all out for 166 in 18.5 overs.

Sherfane Rutherford was the standout batsman for the Windies, hitting seven of their 13 sixes, as he made a T20 international best 76 off 42 balls after being given two reprieves to help the Windies recover from 77 for four, adding 113 in the last nine overs.

Spin in this part of the world has traditionally been an achilles heel for England, who had won 11 of their last 12 T20s and seven in eight against the Windies, and it was exposed again here.

The result leaves the Windies top of Group C with two wins from two. They face minnows Nepal on Sunday and Italy on February 19 and should expect to win both encounters to finish top of their standings.

For England, the loss is not too damaging for their hopes to qualify for the Super 8s – although there is now little room for error. Victories against Scotland on Saturday and Italy on Monday would likely secure their passage into the next round.