West Indies suffer defeat to England

West Indies suffered an 18-run defeat to England in their Cricket World Cup Group-B game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in India today.



Set a victory target of 244, the Caribbean side after a good opening stand between Chris Gayle and Devon Smith, were bowled out for 225 off 44.4 overs.



Gayle slammed 43 from 21 deliveries in an opening stand of 58 with Smith, who scored 10 from 27 balls.



As a result of the victory, England have improved their chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals, while West Indies will have to wait until their final game against India.



Earlier, pacer Andre Russell and debutant leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo bowled impressively to restrict England to 243 with nine balls remaining.



Russell, in only his second One-Day International, finished with four for 49 while Bishoo, picked ahead of left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, claimed three for 34.



Jonathan Trott top scored with 47 and captain Andrew Strauss hit 37.