BRIDGETOWN — England captain Jos Buttler made a triumphant return from injury with an explosive half-century, leading his team to a resounding seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second T20I at Kensington Oval on Sunday.
This commanding win gives England a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five matchup, putting them in prime position to hand the West Indies their first home T20 series loss since 2023.
Asked to bat first, the West Indies again struggled against England’s pace attack, posting a modest 158 for eight. Saqib Mahmood and Jofra Archer quickly seized control, with Mahmood removing Brandon King for just one in the innings’ opening moments. Archer followed up by dismissing Evin Lewis with a rising delivery, putting the Windies in trouble at 20 for two within three overs.
Roston Chase offered some resistance with a pair of well-timed drives but was trapped lbw by Mahmood for 13, and by the fourth over, the hosts were reduced to 35 for three. Attempts at consolidation by Nicholas Pooran and captain Rovman Powell yielded a steady but slow 35-run partnership. However, Pooran was eventually stumped after misjudging a flighted ball from Livingstone, and shortly after, Sherfane Rutherford fell to spin as well, leaving the West Indies at a perilous 80 for five.
A brief glimmer of hope
Powell’s efforts, including a massive six off Adil Rashid, gave a brief glimmer of hope, but he too was bowled by Dan Mousley for a top score of 43 from 41 balls. Brief bursts of resistance from Romario Shepherd (22 off 12) and Matthew Forde (13 not out) helped lift the West Indies to their final score. Mahmood, Livingstone, and Mousley all claimed two wickets each.
In response, England’s chase was spearheaded by Buttler’s dynamic 83 off 45 balls, backed by a 129-run stand with Will Jacks. Although opener Phil Salt fell to Akeal Hosein’s first delivery, Buttler quickly made up for it. He shifted gears in the fourth over with consecutive boundaries off Matthew Forde, and in the sixth over, he hammered Shepherd for 21 runs.
Buttler brought up his fifty by smashing Chase over midwicket for six, setting England comfortably at 94 for one at the halfway mark. Jacks contributed a brisk 38 off 29 balls before being caught by Shepherd, while Buttler was dismissed shortly afterward attempting another boundary. By then, the outcome was inevitable, and Livingstone sealed the game with a rapid 23 off 11 balls.
The series continues with the third T20I in St. Lucia on Thursday, where England could secure the series victory.
