England delivered another composed and ruthless performance to chase down 197 and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their T20I series against the West Indies. Despite a six-hitting spectacle by the Caribbean side that lit up the Bristol evening, Jos Buttler’s men calmly dismantled the target with nine balls remaining, finishing at 199 for 6. The home side’s effort was spearheaded by contributions throughout the batting line-up, with Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Tom Banton, and Jacob Bethell all playing pivotal roles.
At the toss, Brook had stated that he “fancied a chase,” and West Indies happily obliged. What followed was an innings packed with flair and muscle, marked by 15 sixes and a brutal 31-run over from Adil Rashid—the second-most expensive over in England’s T20I history. The visitors racked up 75 runs in the final four overs to reach 196 for 6, a total that looked imposing on a small ground with favorable hitting conditions.
Luke Wood Returns with a Statement
Amid the flurry of sixes, it was Luke Wood’s return to international cricket that proved decisive. Playing his first match for England since September 2023, Wood made an immediate impact, striking with his very first delivery to remove Evin Lewis. A full, inswinging delivery tailed into the left-hander’s toes and won a swift LBW verdict. Wood’s tidy opening spell—just four runs in two overs—helped curb West Indies’ early aggression.
Though Brydon Carse proved more expensive, allowing Shai Hope to free his arms with several straight boundaries, England’s spinners tightened the screws. Adil Rashid and Will Jacks were tasked with navigating the middle overs. Rashid outfoxed Hope with a sharp legbreak that led to a stumping on 49, while Jacks applied pressure on the left-handed Sherfane Rutherford, who managed just 6 before Bethell dismissed him.
Charles, although managing three sixes, struggled for rhythm and eventually fell to Wood, dragging on via a deflection. Yet the final overs saw a West Indian onslaught, reminiscent of their famous T20 finishes.
Power Surge from Holder and Shepherd
Rovman Powell initiated the death-over fireworks by taking 20 off Liam Dawson’s final over. Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd followed up by destroying Rashid’s figures in the penultimate over, smashing five sixes—including four in succession. Rashid conceded 31 runs, a rare meltdown from the veteran. Roston Chase capped the innings with a first-ball six, helping the West Indies post 196 for 6, a total that seemed to tilt momentum their way.
England’s Measured Reply
Faced with a required rate of nearly 10 from the start, England’s response was composed. Jamie Smith fell early, miscuing a lofted drive off Holder, but Jos Buttler and Ben Duckett settled the nerves. Duckett, in particular, played with inventiveness, executing sweeps, dinks, and even a scoop for six. He scored 30 off 18 balls before Powell took a stunning leaping catch at long-on.
Buttler remained the anchor, hammering an elegant six down the ground and later unfurling a remarkable reverse hoick for another maximum. He had a lucky break when Charles spilled a chance at deep midwicket but eventually fell for 47 while attempting a reverse sweep.
Brook joined the party with a flurry of shots, including a remarkable cut for six off Shepherd. However, just as the chase seemed to tilt firmly England’s way, Brook fell for 34, and England were 126 for 4, briefly wobbling.
Young Guns Shine Bright
Enter Tom Banton and Jacob Bethell. Banton announced his arrival by slog-sweeping his very first delivery for six, followed by a clean straight six and a reverse for four. Bethell, lean in frame but powerful in execution, went after Alzarri Joseph with three sixes in one over. His 26 off just 10 balls put England in cruise control. Though he holed out to Chase at short third, the damage had already been done.
Jacks departed for 7, but by then the West Indian bowling unit had lost their grip. Joseph’s over included five wides down the leg side, erasing any hopes of a late fightback. Banton (30*) and Carse saw England home, sealing a fifth straight win under Brook’s interim leadership and maintaining their unbeaten run in the series.
Looking Ahead
While West Indies will reflect on the positives—particularly their explosive finish with the bat and their depth in power-hitters—they’ll also be concerned by their inability to defend a solid total. England, meanwhile, have showcased the depth of their squad, the versatility of their line-up, and the calm confidence of a side building momentum ahead of bigger challenges.
With the final T20I set to be played in Southampton, England have already secured the series, but both teams will look to make strong closing statements.
