More misery as England lose thriller

Isa Guha broke Pam Lavine and Cordel Jack's partnership, but could not quite rouse England to victory at Warner Park

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England women endured more disappointment on their tour of the Caribbean when they lost a nailbiting Twenty20 international to West Indies on the penultimate ball of the match.

Chasing 113 to win the first of three Twenty20 matches in St Kitts, West Indies succumbed to pressure thanks to some accurate bowling from Isa Guha and Holly Colvin.

Home captain Merissa Aguilleira was run out going for an unlikely second run for 13, leaving the hosts needing two to win from three balls.

But Jamaican Shanel Daley kept a cool head to give West Indies an early lead in the series held at Warner Park.

Batting first after rain had held up proceedings for three hours, the double world champions, who surprisingly lost the one-day series 2-1, underperformed with the bat once more in posting a modest 112 for eight. Captain Charlotte Edwards top-scored with 34 from 30 balls.

Injury to Aguilleira, when a ball struck her in the sternum, meant a brief delay while the skipper was helped off. Shermaine Campbelle padded up as a replacement wicketkeeper.

When England's innings resumed, a gutsy 17 from vice-captain Colvin and a much needed 13 from five balls from Guha allowed England a total of 112 for eight from their 20 overs.

The tourists fought hard to defend their total. Anya Shrubsole took a wicket with her first ball of the tour when Deandra Dottin was caught behind, and Katherine Brunt managed figures of 1-11 from her four-over spell to leave West Indies 22 for two.

However a 69-run stand for the third wicket between Pam Lavine and Cordel Jack pushed West Indies towards the winning post.

Guha took three wickets to give England a sniff of victory but it was the home side who were celebrating at the end after scrambling nine runs off the last over, bowled by Shrubsole.

The second match takes place tomorrow also in Basseterre.