Jason Holder did the bulk of the damage as England's latest batting collapse paved the way for West Indies' nine-wicket win in the first Twenty20 international in Bridgetown on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Towering paceman Holder twice struck with successive deliveries on his Kensington Oval home ground during a format-best return of four for seven as England were dismissed for just 103 following their Ashes woes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
West Indies then cruised to a target of 104 with 17 balls to spare, opener Brandon King finishing on 52 not out as the hosts went 1-0 up in this five-match series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was a heartening result for the West Indies, fresh from a 2-1 one-day international series loss at home to Ireland, and now without veteran opener Chris Gayle after a T20 World Cup where they just one of their five matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"When it comes to Kensington Oval and Jason Holder, he steps it up," said West Indies captain Kieron Pollard at the presentation ceremony. "He was phenomenal for us.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We backed it up in the field and the guys really put on a show today."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
West Indies faced plenty of criticism after the Ireland series but Pollard added: "Tough times don't last, tough people do... We're sticking together in the dressing room."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England will have little time to ponder their defeat ahead of Sunday's second match, with captain Eoin Morgan admitting: "We didn't seem to adapt well enough. We'll have to come back tomorrow with a fresh game plan because conditions are likely to be similar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Trying to get the mindset around risk and reward, we found a challenge today."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For all that Holder was aided by a pitch offering inconsistent bounce and that this was a different format, Saturday's slump was all too reminiscent of the batting collapses that blighted England's recent 4-0 Ashes series loss in Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After Sheldon Cottrell removed opener Jason Roy, who made a hundred in England's lone warm-up match, fellow paceman Holder struck twice in two balls to dismiss Tom Banton and Moeen Ali.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Holder ensured England were bowled out in 19.4 overs as he removed Saqib Mahmood and Adil Rashid in successive deliveries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England surpassed their record low T20 total of 80 thanks mainly to an eighth-wicket stand of 36 between Chris Jordan (28) and Rashid (22).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England were without T20 regulars Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes after their Ashes exertions as they fielded a much-changed side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sam Billings was one of only five survivors from the XI that lost to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semi-finals in November, making the long journey from Australia to Barbados just days after his Test debut.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As happened in that match, England's bowlers were again let down by their batsmen, with King hitting four fours and a six in his 49-ball innings under the floodlights.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief scores<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England 103, 19.4 overs (Jason Holder 4-7)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
West Indies 104-1, 17.1 overs (Brandon King 52 no)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Result: West Indies won by nine wickets<\/p>\r\n\r\n