West Indies defeat England by 5 wickets, claim Twenty20 series

Medium-pacer Krishmar Santokie claimed 4-21 to limit England and captain Darren Sammy slammed an unbeaten 30 off nine balls to power West Indies home by five wickets in the second Twenty20 on Tuesday. (Scorecard)

The West Indies took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with the final match on Thursday, also at Kensington Oval.

Santokie, in only his fourth T20, helped to restrict England to 152-7 off 20 overs after the visitors won the toss.

Jos Buttler top-scored with 67 off 43 balls to lift England from the early damage of 26-3 after five overs.

Opener Alex Hales contributed 40 off 36 deliveries.

The West Indies got a flying start to the run chase as Dwayne Smith slammed three sixes and two fours in 30 off 16 balls and his opening partner Chris Gayle hit 36 off 30 deliveries.

The home side slipped up in mid-inning when Tim Bresnan got two wickets in two balls - Marlon Samuels for 28 and Andre Russell for 2.

But the England comeback was short-lived as Sammy slammed three sixes and two fours to dominate a sixth-wicket stand of 39 off 15 balls to see his side home at 155-5 with seven balls to spare.

Earlier, Santokie ripped through England's top order by claiming Michael Lumb (4) and Moeen Ali (5) to plumb lbw decisions. Lumb missed a full toss and Ali, on debut, misread a slower ball.

When legspinner Samuel Badree got captain Eoin Morgan (3) to a catch at deep backward square leg, England was tottering at 26-3.

Buttler and Hales revived the innings in a fourth-wicket stand of 76 off 53 balls either side of a short rain delay.

Buttler, who hit five fours and three sixes, eventually top-edged to backward point off Santokie, who also got Ravi Bopara to a catch at long off.

There were also two wickets for Dwayne Bravo.