Run-outs contrive to see England crumble to T20 defeat

Having enjoyed a series of impressive victories against Sri Lanka and India in recent months, they crumbled in comprehensive fashion in the last fixture of the season, dismissed for 88 in pursuit of their opponents’ modest 113-5.

A fine spell of three for nine by Windies debutant Garey Mathurin and four run outs left England high and dry at the Kia Oval, 23 short of their previous worst total - 111 against South Africa two years ago.

Graeme Swann acknowledged England’s inconsistency.

The result at the Kia Oval enabled the tourists to square the NatWest Twenty20 international series, having been beaten by 10 wickets in Friday’s opener.

England captain Swann said: “I thought we did everything right for half the game and everything wrong for the other half.”

England looked a good bet to wrap up the series when they restricted the West Indies to 113 for five - but they lost wickets at a steady rate and were dismissed for 88.

Swann continued on Sky Sports 1: “We had a young inexperienced side out and these are the games where you find out about players. You’d back yourself 99 times out of a 100 but I think we panicked tonight.

“We played some poor shots and four run outs didn’t help the cause - but I thought the West Indies fielding was exceptional tonight.

“With five or six wickets down only needing a run a ball with eight or nine overs left you should always back yourself - but losing (Jos) Buttler was a real kick in the teeth. You’ve got to put it down to pressure.”

An impressive debut from Durham leg-spinner Scott Borthwick and a muscular 31 by Ben Stokes aside, it was a night to forget for the hosts.

Krishmar Santokie, yet to make his first-class debut, brushed off two early Craig Kieswetter boundaries to bowl Alex Hales (two) with a well-disguised cutter.

Mathurin then responded in kind, flicking Kieswetter’s off stump to make it 14-2.

Ravi Bopara made three uneasy runs before Mathurin struck again, turning one just past the outside edge and into the stumps.

Stokes eased some of the tension with a meaty six off Devendra Bishoo but Mathurin made Jonny Bairstow (four) his third victim, bowling the Yorkshireman on the sweep.

Stokes hit four more off Darren Sammy before calling Samit Patel through for a risky single. Patel was slow to get going and Bishoo’s direct hit did the rest.

Further run-outs of Jos Buttler, Borthwick, Jade Dernbach hardly helped England’s cause as they slid to defeat.