DURHAM, England – England drew first blood of their T20I collection towards the West Indies, powered by a blinding 96 from Jos Buttler and a devastating four-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, to safe a 21-run victory on Friday.
In entrance of a vibrant house crowd on the Riverside Floor, Buttler got here heartbreakingly near his second T20I century, however his 59-ball masterclass laid the cornerstone for England’s imposing 188 for six of their allotted 20 overs.
Dawson, later named Participant of the Match, ripped by means of the center of the West Indies’ line-up with medical precision, returning figures of 4-20 to suffocate any hope of a Caribbean comeback.
Buttler unleashed: Captain’s knock lights up Durham
England’s innings was anchored by Buttler’s sometimes explosive but composed knock. After the early dismissal of Ben Duckett—caught behind for one off Romario Shepherd—Buttler joined forces with Jamie Smith for a blistering 79-run second-wicket stand that utterly seized the momentum.
Smith contributed a brisk 38 earlier than falling to Shepherd, nevertheless it was Buttler who stole the present, particularly in a savage sixth over towards Alzarri Joseph, from which he plundered 23 runs with three sixes and a 4. His half-century got here in simply 25 balls, underscoring the dominance he had over the bowlers throughout his hour and 20-minute keep on the crease.
Simply as he appeared poised to succeed in a well-deserved century, Joseph struck again—trapping the England captain lbw on 96, ending a vital innings that gave the hosts a formidable platform. Shepherd emerged as probably the most profitable West Indies bowler with figures of 2-33, whereas Joseph’s costly spell (1-44) typified the guests’ inconsistent assault.
Shiny begin dims quick for Windies
Regardless of England’s imposing whole, the West Indies started their chase with an air of confidence. Opener Evin Lewis appeared in high quality contact, blasting 39 off simply 23 balls, and along with Johnson Charles, added 27 runs within the first three overs. However the momentum stalled shortly when Dawson lured Charles out of his crease, resulting in an easy stumping for 18.
Quickly after, Matthew Potts eliminated the influential captain Shai Hope for simply 5, and although Lewis and Roston Chase revived the innings with a vigorous 58-run partnership, catastrophe loomed.
Dawson’s net: A spin masterclass undoes the guests
The turning level arrived within the tenth over. After hammering Jacob Bethell for twenty-four runs in 5 deliveries, Lewis overreached, trying one other towering strike off the sixth—and perished, caught fantastically by Brydon Carse at midwicket. The rating was 91 for 3 on the midway stage, and the West Indies had been nonetheless very a lot within the hunt.
However Dawson snatched away any hope of a profitable chase. He dismissed Sherfane Rutherford (3), Chase (24), and Rovman Powell (13) in fast succession, leaving the guests teetering at 115 for six within the 14th over. With wickets falling and the required run price ballooning, the West Indies center and decrease order crumbled underneath stress.
No late heroics: West Indies fall quick in the long run
Because the asking price spiraled, Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder, curiously conservative in method, rotated strike quite than attacking, seemingly unaware of the mounting urgency. By the ultimate over, 37 runs had been nonetheless wanted—an inconceivable process, and a meek finish to what had begun as a promising run chase.
England’s bowling assault was ably supported by Bethell (2-27) and Potts (2-48), complementing Dawson’s brilliance. The West Indies had been ultimately restricted to 167 for 9, falling quick by 21 runs.
A well-recognized story of missed alternatives
It was a disappointing outing for the Caribbean facet, whose prime order as soon as once more confirmed promise with out changing it right into a commanding efficiency. Lewis’s aggressive intent was the one silver lining in one other faltering show.
Because the collection continues, the West Indies might want to regroup shortly, reassess their middle-order technique, and discover solutions to England’s spin risk in the event that they hope to degree the collection within the matches to come back.
