England clinched a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second T20, thanks to a sensational performance by Jos Buttler, who scored 83 off 45 balls. Chasing down a target of 158, England cruised to 161-3, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The result continued a pattern in this series, where all matches so far have been won by the team winning the toss.
The timing of these games starting at 4 p.m. to suit UK TV audiences has become a defining factor in determining outcomes, especially in Caribbean conditions. Matches played later at night typically reduce the advantage of batting second, but the afternoon starts in this series allow for evening dew to affect gameplay, giving a clear edge to the chasing team. The dew not only makes the ball wet, which limits bowlers’ control, but also quickens the pitch, allowing batters to play with more freedom in the second innings.
For England, winning the toss allowed their bowlers to take full advantage of the conditions, with a well-rounded bowling display that stifled the West Indies’ scoring. Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood opened the attack, setting a strong tone with the new ball as both managed to swing the ball significantly. Archer’s line and length were exceptional as he repeatedly troubled the left-handed opener Evin Lewis. Archer’s precision was on full display when he managed to find Lewis’s glove, sending the ball through to the keeper and building early pressure on the West Indies.
Mahmood, while a bit wayward with six wides in his opening three overs, eventually found his rhythm and executed the perfect in-swinging delivery to trap Roston Chase lbw. The camaraderie between Archer and Mahmood was evident; the two are good friends, often spending time together on the island, and Mahmood even explored the idea of playing for Archer’s club team Wildey CC to prepare for the series.
The English bowlers worked as a cohesive unit, with Sam Curran contributing a maiden in his first over and Adil Rashid supporting with an aggressive field that included a slip and leg-slip. This pressure pushed the West Indies into a challenging position, as they struggled to put up runs in the face of disciplined bowling. Though West Indies managed a last-minute surge, scoring 32 runs off the final two overs, their total of 158-8 seemed below par given the conditions.
England’s chase began with a surprising twist. Phil Salt, who had scored a century in the first T20, was out for a golden duck, mistiming a drive to short cover off Akeal Hosein’s opening delivery. Despite Salt’s early exit, the chase remained well under control due to the calm confidence of Buttler, who came in to bat at No. 3 for only the third time in his T20 career. Buttler initially took his time adjusting, but soon found his stride, delivering a display of power hitting that left the audience captivated.
At one point, faced with a delivery from Gudakesh Motie, Buttler smashed a towering six over the Worrell, Weekes, and Walcott Stand. Afterward, he jokingly flexed his bicep to teammate Will Jacks, clearly enjoying the moment and the form he had found. Reflecting on the shot, Buttler humorously suggested that the four months he had spent in rehabilitation, focusing on fitness and gym work, had helped him build enough strength to clear such a distance.
Buttler’s focus on fitness has been part of his broader goal of finding enjoyment in the game again. His powerful performance demonstrated that he is not only back in form but also playing with renewed enthusiasm. His strategic approach and ability to pace his innings effectively allowed England to chase down the target with ease, showcasing why Buttler is one of the most thrilling players to watch in T20 cricket.
Despite England’s advantage in winning the toss, the team showed they could capitalize fully on it. West Indies captain Rovman Powell admitted that the ideal start time would be 7 p.m., which would help neutralize the impact of conditions on the outcome. Nonetheless, West Indies have struggled to adapt to the early dew and have been unable to match England’s composure and effectiveness, both with the bat and the ball.
With England leading 2-0 in the series, they are in a commanding position to clinch the T20 series. As the teams head into the third match, it’s clear that England’s blend of strong batting and disciplined bowling is shaping them into a well-rounded side. The team’s adaptability and tactical play, highlighted by Buttler’s batting and Archer’s bowling, set a high standard for the remaining games, which the West Indies will need to meet if they want to stay competitive in this series.
