After their comprehensive victory in the ODI series, England commenced the three-match T20I series with a decisive 21-run triumph. A remarkable innings of 96 runs off 59 balls by Jos Buttler established England’s total at a commendable 188/6 on a sluggish pitch, while Liam Dawson’s impressive figures of 4 wickets for 20 runs, marked by clever changes in pace and effective use of the favorable conditions, dismantled the core of the West Indies’ batting lineup.
West Indies restrict England to a low score
England won the toss and chose to bat on a dreary evening at Chester-le-Street, Durham. Jamie Smith, continuing to open the batting in the absence of Phil Salt (who is on paternity leave), began with a magnificent straight drive. On what both teams quickly realized to be a rather slow pitch, Smith took a risk and scored two additional boundaries in the first over. Ben Duckett (1 off 4) became the first victim of the sluggish surface, getting out caught after hitting a leading edge straight up into the air.
Smith and Buttler, who was promoted to number three, took their time to acclimatize to the pace of the pitch before unleashing their shots in the fifth over bowled by Russell, who provided pace and made a length error, resulting in 22 runs being conceded. The English pair hammered the subsequent over, bowled by Joseph, for 23 runs – bringing England to 78/1 after the powerplay.
The remainder of the innings saw the West Indies bowlers primarily taking pace off the ball and bowling into the wicket, having learned from their earlier errors. Three quick wickets followed, including that of the well-set Jamie Smith (38 off 20), Harry Brook (6 off 5), and Tom Banton (3 off 4), who was given a chance in the middle order.
While Bethell (23 off 23) largely struggled with his timing, Buttler maintained the momentum with some daring strokeplay. Regrettably, a second T20I century was not meant to be for the former captain as he was trapped LBW in the 19th over. There was a lone boundary in the 20th over, and England concluded their innings with 188/6, with Jacks being run out on the final delivery.
England's bowling does the magic
The West Indies began strongly, swiftly capitalizing on any loose deliveries that were bowled with pace. However, when faced with slower deliveries, the situation changed significantly. Dawson achieved his first wicket by dismissing Charles (18 runs off 15 balls) through an impressive display of pace variations. Shai Hope (3 runs off 7 balls) was dismissed early, but Roston Chase (24 runs off 20 balls), who initiated his innings with a six over midwicket, and Evin Lewis (39 runs off 23 balls) managed to keep the West Indies in contention.
Bethell, who bowled the 10th over, was hit for 24 runs, yet he ultimately had the last laugh as Lewis was caught out on the final delivery. At the halfway mark, with a score of 91/3, the West Indies remained very much in the game, if not slightly ahead. However, Liam Dawson’s double-wicket haul in the 12th over altered their trajectory.
None of the subsequent batsmen were able to score more than 20 runs, and the English spinners exerted complete control during the latter half of the innings. By the time Potts delivered a chaotic 20th over that yielded 15 runs, the match was already beyond reach, although it did conclude with the wicket of Shepherd.
SCORECARD: England 188/6 in 20 overs (Buttler 96, Jamie Smith 38; Shepherd 2-33) beat West Indies 167/9 in 20 overs (Lewis 39, Chase 24; Dawson 4-20, Bethell 2-27) by 21 runs.
