Buttler did it – England up 2-0 in T20I series

England are on the brink of handing the West Indies just their second series defeat in the last five home series, after defeating their hosts by seven wickets in the second T20 International at the iconic Kensington Oval on Sunday night. The visitors are 2-0 up in the five-match series.

Jos Buttler won the toss for the Three Lions, opting to field first, as he had done in the eight-wicket win on Saturday evening at the same venue. His bowlers justified the decision by holding the Men In Maroon to 158-8. b

The hosts were even poorer in the powerplay than they were the night prior, once more losing three wickets, and this time for just 44. Saqib Mahmood followed up his four wickets in the first match with two more, Brandon King (1) and Roston Chase (13) gone inside six overs.

Jofra Archer, returning for the injured Reece Topley, took 1-31, Evin Lewis (8) in the third over of the game. 

Nicholas Pooran and Windies captain Rovman Powell added 35 from 43 balls, but that was the only partnership of note for the home team. At the halfway mark, West Indies were just 63-3, and Pooran lost his wicket in the 11th over for 14. 

Sherfane Rutherford (1) lasted five balls. After Powell went for 43 from 41 balls, Romario Shepherd added a quickfire 22 off 12 balls, and Matthew Forde hit three fours to contribute an unbeaten 13 from six. 

But the target never looked big enough for a team that chased down 183 with plenty of room to spare the night before.

The England response did not get off to a sparkling start. Game one centurion Phil Salt went for a first-ball duck. 

But Buttler, a first ball duck himself last night, was brutal on Sunday, lighting up the Bridgetown sky with eight fours and six sixes, facing just 45 deliveries for 83 runs. 

The skipper added 129 with Will Jacks, the latter eventually out for 38 from 29 balls. Shepherd took Buttler in the same over, the 13th. 

By that time, however, the England equation was straightforward. Liam Livingstone put the icing on the cake with 23 from 11, including three fours and a six.

“It’s great to spend some time in the middle. A bit scratchy for the first few balls but managed to come through that period,” said Buttler, not taking anything for granted as the series moves to Saint Lucia for the next three games. 

“We’ve got to start again,” he said. “We’re playing against an excellent team in the West Indies who are strong at T20 wicket. They will want to come back strongly.”

The crucial third match, a must-win for the West Indies, will be on Thursday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.

(TF)

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