ST LUCIA: Jonny Bairstow's half century helped England beat West Indies by four wickets in St Lucia on Tuesday in the opening Twenty20 international of their three-match series.

West Indies made 160 for eight in their innings with Nicholas Pooran top scoring with 58, his best score in the format, while seamer Tom Curran picked up 4-36 for the tourists.

Bairstow's 68 from 40 balls set England on their way to a relatively comfortable win with seven balls to spare, aided by some poor bowling and fielding from West Indies, who dropped four catches.

England, who lost the three-match test series 2-1 in the Caribbean and drew a five-match ODI series 2-2, will look to wrap up a series win in St Kitts and Nevis on Friday.