England claim consolation win

All-rounder Jenny Gunn led the charge with 35 as England chased 120 to secure a much-needed win

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England women ended their disappointing tour of the Caribbean with a much-needed win in the final Twenty20 against West Indies.

Jenny Gunn and Charlotte Edwards hit 35 and 29 respectively to secure a six-wicket win as England successfully chased 120, and reduce the series deficit to 2-1.

It was a morale-boosting triumph for the tourists who return to the Caribbean in the spring to defend their ICC World Twenty20 title.

The home side, who held an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, leaving England - surprisingly also beaten in the one-day series - with little but pride to play for in today’s encounter in St Kitts, won the toss and elected to bat.

The tourists, with stern words ringing in their ears from coach Mark Lane, showed improvement with the ball to restrict West Indies early on.

Katherine Brunt, one of few shining lights, struck in her first over when she trapped home skipper Merissa Aguilleira leg before.

When Britney Cooper was run out and Amanda Samaroo bowled by left-arm spinner Holly Colvin, West Indies were in dire trouble at 28 for three.

Chedean Nation did not last long either, caught by Jenny Gunn off the returning Nicky Shaw as the hosts slipped to 49 for four.

Katherine Brunt, a consistent performer on the tour, picked up two vital wickets

Watching the wickets tumble at the other end was Pamela Lavine who had made a mockery of her 40 years by flaying the England attack throughout both the one-dayers and Twenty20s.

She found an ally in Stacy-Ann King and the pair put on 57 to drag West Indies to respectability.

Lavine eventually perished to Shaw in the late surge for runs - her 61 came from just 49 balls and included two sixes - soon followed by King who picked out Gunn off Brunt as West Indies closed on 119 for six.

England made a fine start in reply with Edwards and Ebony Rainford-Brent rattling off 49 runs in less than six overs.

Edwards was the first to go, caught behind off seamer Shakera Selman, after a quickfire 29 from just 20 balls - another notable knock from the consistent skipper.

England might have feared the worst when Rainford-Brent became Tremayne Smartt's sole victim but the powerful Gunn opened her shoulders to ultimately settle the contest.

She drilled six boundaries in her 35 which spanned just 26 balls before she was dismissed, caught like Rainford-Brent, by Nation midway through the 13th over with England needing 21.

Beth Morgan chipped away before being caught and bowled by Shemaine Campbelle for 14, and it was left to Caroline Atkins and Brunt to see England home with 11 balls to spare.