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T20: At last England taste victory but West Indies win series
England survived a late onslaught from the tail-end batsmen of West Indies to win a thrilling third and final Twenty20 by five runs in Barbados on Thursday.
The home team had a chance to make it a 3-0 victory in the series but captain Darren Sammy was unable to hit the six his side needed off the final ball at the Kensington Oval.
"It was a fantastic game of cricket," said England captain Eoin Morgan. "There are a lot of positives for us looking ahead."
The tourists batted first and compiled a solid 165 for six built around a sparkling 63 from opener Michael Lumb.
T20: At last England taste victory but West Indies win series
Alex Hales chipped in with 38 as he and Lumb put on 98 for the first wicket before the middle-order collapsed.
All-rounder Chris Jordan (27 not out), batting at eight, produced a superb late surge with four sixes in the last over.
Jordan, who was named man of the match, also played the starring role in the field, taking two catches and three wickets.
"It was a good opportunity I got today," he said. "I've been practising hitting all week and that gave me confidence for my bowling."
The West Indies made a terrible start to their reply when Dwayne Smith was bowled off the first delivery and Johnson Charles was dismissed in the next over.
T20: At last England taste victory but West Indies win series
Lendl Simmons steadied the innings with 69 off 55 balls but was run out in the last over trying to scramble for a second run at the non-striker's end.
Player of the series Sammy blasted two fours and a six to give West Indies hope but was unable to get another six off the last ball from Jade Dernbach.
"We didn't get over the line today but it was a great game. Credit to my guys for taking it to the final over," said Sammy.
"We always back ourselves to get two or three boundaries in the last over. The way we fought back in the last 10 overs of their innings was great."
The teams now head to Bangladesh for the Twenty20 World Cup that starts on Sunday.
West Indies are the defending champions after winning in 2012. England won the previous edition in 2010.