T20 World Cup 2021: Twitter Stunned As Defending Champions West Indies Get Crushed By England

The T20 World Cup defending champions, West Indies, were in for a rude awakening when they faced off against 2016 T20 World Cup finalists, England. Eoin Morgan’s men pummelled the Windies into submission, dominating the game right from the get-go on a hot night in Dubai.

Batting first, the West Indies were rocked back owing to wickets falling at regular intervals. It was a match where everything went right captain, Morgan, as every bowling change he introduced produced a wicket. Early on, it was Chris Woakes sending Evin Lewis back.

Moeen Ali, who bowled a four-over spell right from the start, enticed Lendl Simmons and Shimron Hetmyer into false shots. The returning Tymal Mills then scalped the wickets of Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran. The latter’s abysmal form continued as he went after scoring just one run off the nine deliveries faced.

Gayle was also the only one who managed to get into double figures for the Windies. The biggest damage was inflicted by Adil Rashid. Coming on to bowl in the eleventh over, Rashid castled the dangerous Andre Russell back with his very first delivery.

He continued to steal the limelight with a double-wicket second over. Finally, it was Rashid himself who fittingly ended the innings by knocking over Ravi Rampaul, to register figures of 4/2 in 2.2 overs and with the West Indies being skittled out for a paltry 55, their lowest score ever in T20 World Cups.

The chase was a formality for England, although it wasn’t without a few hiccups on the way. Jos Buttler finished the match off to win their first Super 12 game with six wickets and 70 balls to spare. It’s the perfect start that the Englishmen could have hoped for in their quest to win their second T20 World Cup trophy.

Twitter’s reactions to England’s stomping win over West Indies:

England NRR +3.97!#T20WorldCup

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) October 23, 2021

Crazy!! ? still don’t write West Indies off but England what a start! #ICCT20WorldCup https://t.co/3P9a79EydJ

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) October 23, 2021

Stoinis holds nerve to steer Australia past South Africa, while England announce their title aspirations with a commanding performance against defending champions West Indies. The #T20WorldCup is now well and truly underway!

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 23, 2021

Big statement by ??????? today.. #T20WorldCup #T20WorldCup2021

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) October 23, 2021

England putting a marker down today .. Hammering the champions is a perfect start .. btw .. these pitches are not what this tournament needs .. #T20WorldCup

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 23, 2021

What an amazing start to the tournament from the boys @englandcricket ??? #ENGvWI ???????

— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) October 23, 2021

England open their #T20WorldCup campaign with a six-wicket win against the West Indies. Easy in the end chasing 55 despite a few wobbles with the bat. Perfect start to the tournament for Eoin Morgan’s team

— Chris Stocks (@StocksC_cricket) October 23, 2021

Fair whack of the gloss taken off that win because of a stumbling batting, but end result is an outrageously good result for England – pummelling their nearest rivals for topping the group, with all the NRR boosts they'll need, you'd think. #T20WorldCup

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) October 23, 2021

Decent win for England to kick their tournament off then. It’s always important to get off to a good start but even more so given how difficult this group is. Bangladesh next up on Wednesday #ENGvWI #T20WorldCup

— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) October 23, 2021

Very disappointing performance by West Indies. No batting game plan saw them score next to nothing, easily overhauled, though a disjointed England also lost quite a few wickets in the process. All told, both teams need to buck up

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 23, 2021

Moeen up front to the lefties, straight through for all four. Mills high pace and hard lengths to Gayle, Pollard & Pooran. Rashid held back until the righties are paired. It’s not rocket science but it’s every tactical change nailed. #ENG #T20WorldCup

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) October 23, 2021

Not looking good at all

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) October 23, 2021

Mills' T20 career was propelled by castling Gayle at Hove half a decade ago. He's been on a helluva journey since then but it's fitting that he gets Gayle in his first over back. #T20WorldCup

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) October 23, 2021

England get over the line in the end, their 6 wicket win, with 70 balls remaining more importantly, pushes their Net Run Rate to a healthy +3.97 after their opening game win.#T20WorldCup #ENGvWI

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) October 23, 2021

Also Read – T20 World Cup 2021: This Time Our Main Strength Is Batting – Babar Azam