Mid-Day

Chasing a daunting 180-run target, England came close with Eoin Morgan (71 not out) and Alex Hales (68) putting on a resolute 107-run partnership for the third wicket but in the end they fell short.

Johnson Charles in full flow against England yesterday. Pic/AFP

England had lost Craig Kieswetter and Luke Wright for first over ducks but Hales, who hit five boundaries and two sixes off his 51 balls, and Morgan’s 36-ball knock, with five sixes and four boundaries, defied West Indies's four-pronged spin attack.

West Indies were set on their way for a big total by openers Johnson Charles and Chris Gayle.

Charles smashed three sixes and 10 well-timed fours in his 56-ball 84 while Gayle hit four sixes and six fours in his 35-ball 58.