(AP Photo)
West Indies captain Rovman Powell provided an update on opener Brandon King’s injury sustained while batting in their initial Super Eight match against England at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia.
Brandon King suffered a pulled muscle when he was batting, having scored 23 runs off 13 balls. He had to retire hurt and was immediately withdrawn from the field. King did not return to play any further role in the match, where West Indies posted a formidable total of 180-4 thanks to a strong batting display.
Shimron Hetmyer substituted for King during the second innings. It remains uncertain whether King will recover in time for West Indies’ upcoming match against the USA scheduled for June 21 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Following the match, Rovman Powell expressed concern about King’s injury during the post-match presentation and expressed hope that King would regain fitness before their crucial encounter against the USA.
“Just a bit worried, but hopefully he can pull through for the next game,” Powell said.
Brandon King’s injury severity remains uncertain, but initial impressions were concerning. King had showcased sublime form, striking 3 fours and 1 six in a brief cameo that provided West Indies with a strong opening.
In contrast, England comfortably chased down the target of 181 runs, securing victory by 8 wickets with 15 balls to spare. The match reached a critical juncture when England stood at 84-2, but Jonny Bairstow’s rapid unbeaten 48 off 26 balls swiftly dashed any hopes for the home team.
Phil Salt also played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 87 off just 47 deliveries, featuring 7 fours and 5 sixes. West Indies’ bowling attack struggled to contain England’s aggressive batting display.
Earlier, despite promising starts from several batsmen including Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran, and Rovman Powell, West Indies failed to capitalize on their starts. Sherfane Rutherford contributed a brisk 28 not out off 15 balls towards the end. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid was effective for England, conceding just 21 runs in his four overs and claiming one wicket.
‘He hurts us’ – Rovman Powell on Phil Salt’s
“It is always difficult, every time he plays against WI, he hurts us. We couldn’t execute our plans against Phil. Our destiny is in our own hands and we need to win well, we need to continue playing good cricket,” Powell said.
This defeat marked West Indies’ first loss in the tournament following four consecutive victories. They secured the top position in Group C with wins against Papua New Guinea, Uganda, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. Moving forward, West Indies are scheduled to face the USA and South Africa in their upcoming Super Eight matches, which will be held in Barbados and Antigua, respectively.
