Chris Jordan takes wonder catch and is pick of seamers as England win first IT20

Chris Jordan took two wickets, was the most economical seamer on either side and pulled off yet another screamer of a catch as England won the first IT20 against West Indies at St Lucia on Tuesday.

After the tourists won the toss and elected to field first, CJ was first called upon during the West Indies’ powerplay. His two overs while only two fielders were allowed outside the 30-yard circle cost just nine runs and included the huge wicket of Chris Gayle, caught at short third man for a comparatively mild-mannered 15 off 12 balls.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Yes, @CJordan!

Our man gets Chris Gayle, and @englandcricket have started brilliantly in the first IT20! 💫 pic.twitter.com/e4z1IyDwkN

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) March 5, 2019

The Sussex man returned to the attack in the 14th over and pulled off one of the most incredible return catches you will ever see when his third delivery – a beautifully disguised slower ball – got the better of Darren Bravo.

Having played havoc with Bravo’s timing and drawn an inside edge, Jordan then covered a barely believable amount of ground to get within leaping distance of the ball, threw himself to the right and took a blinding one-handed catch just inches from the ground.

🤯 That is absolutely outrageous, @CJordan! 👏 pic.twitter.com/fGNZsP1iCH

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) March 5, 2019

It was CJ’s 50th catch for England in all formats and he couldn’t have marked the landmark in a more spectacular fashion.

With death bowling duties assigned to Adil Rashid and Tom Curran on this occasion, CJ’s third over was his last of the evening and he finished with figures of 2-16.

Amongst England’s bowlers, only leg-spinner Rashid was more economical, taking 1-15 from his four overs. Curran took 4-36 from his allocation as West Indies reached 160-8 from their 20 overs.

Despite a late-wobble, that proved within England’s reach and CJ was not required to bat as the visitors recorded a five-wicket win with seven balls to spare to go 1-0 up in the three match series.