LONDON, June 28: West Indies scored 208-8 in the first Twenty20 international against England at The Oval on Thursday. Devon Smith top-scored with 61 off 37 balls and Marlon Samuels hit the second-fastest half-century in this form of the game, taking just 26 balls over his 51.

Earlier, West Indies captain Chris Gayle won the toss and elected to bat in the first.

Jonathan Trott and Dimitri Masceranhas made their debuts for England as Paul Collingwood took on the captaincy for the first time.

With Ian Bell out with a groin injury, Alastair Cook took the opener's slot alongside wicket-keeper Matt Prior.

Fidel Edwards missed out with Dwayne Smith and Ravi Rampaul called into the line up for only the West Indies's second Twenty20 international.

Teams:

England: Paul Collingwood (captain), Alastair Cook, Matt Prior, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Owais Shah, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Michael Yardy, Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

West Indies: Chris Gayle (captain), Devon Smith, Marlon Samuels, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Runako Morton, Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Darren Sammy, Ravi Rampaul, Daren Powell.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...