BRISTOL — England secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second T20 International at Bristol, chasing down a target of 197 with seven balls to spare to seal the series with a game remaining. The win extends England's recent dominance over the Caribbean side in white-ball cricket, showcasing their depth and adaptability in high-pressure chases.
Captain Jos Buttler led from the front with a blistering 58 off 31 balls, while Phil Salt (40 off 20) and Liam Livingstone (32* off 16) provided crucial contributions to ensure England overhauled the Windies' imposing total of 196/4. The victory marks England's fifth consecutive T20I win against the West Indies, reinforcing their status as one of the format's most formidable sides.
Buttler's Blitz Sets the Tone
England's chase began explosively as Buttler and Salt put on 82 runs in just 6.5 overs, the highest Powerplay score (75/0) by England against the West Indies in T20Is. Buttler, in particular, was ruthless, smashing four sixes in his innings. "When Jos gets going like that, it takes pressure off everyone else," said Livingstone in the post-match presentation.
The West Indies bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Alzarri Joseph (0/44 in 3 overs) and Romario Shepherd (1/50 in 4 overs) proving particularly expensive. Only Akeal Hosein (2/31) managed to apply some brakes, dismissing both openers in quick succession. However, England's middle order ensured there would be no collapse.
West Indies' Batting Fireworks
Earlier, the West Indies posted a competitive 196/4 thanks to Brandon King's career-best 82* (52 balls) and Nicholas Pooran's explosive 43 (21 balls). The pair added 82 runs in just 6.3 overs during the middle overs, with Pooran hitting four sixes before falling to Adil Rashid (1/26).
Key moments in the Windies innings included:
- King anchoring the innings with eight fours and three sixes
- A 19-run 19th over from Chris Jordan that proved costly
- England's spinners (Rashid and Moeen Ali) combining for 2/46 in 8 overs
Turning Points
The Powerplay Blitz
England's aggressive start effectively took the game away from the West Indies in the first seven overs. The 75-run Powerplay was England's second-highest against the Windies in T20Is, setting a platform that even the loss of both openers couldn't derail. "We knew 197 was about par on this ground, so we had to come out swinging," Buttler explained post-match.
Livingstone's Finishing Touch
With 30 needed off the last three overs, Livingstone's calculated assault on Shepherd in the 18th over (20 runs) effectively sealed the game. His three sixes showcased the depth of England's batting, with the Lancashire all-rounder stating: "I've been working hard on my game against pace, and it's nice to see it pay off in a pressure situation."
Series Implications
The victory gives England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, continuing their strong recent form in T20 cricket. It also provides valuable preparation ahead of June's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA, where these two sides could meet again in the latter stages.
For the West Indies, concerns remain about their bowling depth beyond their frontline spinners. Captain Rovman Powell admitted: "We were 15-20 runs short with the bat, and then we didn't execute our plans with the ball. England's powerplay was the difference - when you give a team like that momentum, it's hard to pull it back."
Looking Ahead
The final match of the series at Trent Bridge on Sunday now becomes a dead rubber, but both teams will want to end on a high. England may rest key players like Buttler or Rashid, while the West Indies will be desperate to avoid a whitewash. As Livingstone noted: "We want to keep this winning momentum going into the World Cup, so Sunday's game is just as important for our preparation."