Jos Buttler powers England to 7-wicket win and take 2-0 lead vs West Indies
England captain Jos Buttler delivered a scintillating knock, by smashing 83 off just 45 balls to lead his side to a commanding seven-wicket win over.
West Indies in the second T20I. With this victory, England went 2-0 up in the five-match series, having chased down the hosts’ 158-8 with 31 balls to spare at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Chasing a target of 159, England had an early setback when last match’s centurion, Phil Salt, was dismissed on the first ball by Akeal Hosein.
However, Buttler, who came in at number three, immediately took charge. In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, he struck eight fours and six towering sixes, putting England in firm control. Buttler shared a 129-run partnership with opener Will Jacks, who played a solid supporting role. The pair fell in quick succession during the same over from Romario Shepherd, but by then, England were within touching distance of victory. Liam Livingstone finished things off in style with a quick-fire 23* from 11 balls, ensuring the tourists wrapped up the match in emphatic fashion.
England beat West Indies
Earlier, West Indies struggled to build momentum after opting to bat first. Saqib Mahmood and Jofra Archer made early inroads, reducing the hosts to 35-3 inside the powerplay. Rovman Powell anchored the innings with a steady 43, but his dismissal at a crucial stage left West Indies reeling at 102-6.
Lower-order contributions from Shepherd, debutant Terrance Hinds, and Matthew Forde helped West Indies scrape past 150. Their late flurry added 32 runs in the final two overs, providing some hope. However, their total proved insufficient against a rampant Buttler.
Buttler’s decision to bat at three, relinquishing his usual opening role, raised eyebrows ahead of the series. Yet, with scores of 100 and 83 in the first two matches, his form has been sensational. His 32-ball fifty in this game, also his 26th fifty-plus score in the format, highlighted by massive sixes off Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie, showcased his dominance. Though a second T20I century eluded him, Buttler’s knock ensured England cruised to another victory.
England will now head to St Lucia with confidence, looking to seal the series. Meanwhile, West Indies face a tough challenge to bounce back and avoid a series defeat.