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England Dominate T20I Series Opener with 21-Run Victory Over West Indies
Jos Buttler’s 96 and Liam Dawson’s 4-Wicket Haul Steal the Show in Durham
England extended their white-ball dominance against West Indies, securing a 21-run win in the first T20I at Chester-le-Street, Durham. Building on their ODI series whitewash, England delivered a composed performance, thanks to a stunning 96 off 59 balls from Jos Buttler and a game-changing 4-wicket haul by Liam Dawson.
England Off to a Strong Start Despite Slow Surface
Buttler and Smith Lay the Foundation
After winning the toss, England elected to bat first under gloomy skies. With Phil Salt on paternity leave, Jamie Smith was promoted to open and started confidently with elegant strokeplay. He and Buttler, who was surprisingly moved up to number three, carefully assessed the slow pitch before launching an assault in the fifth and sixth overs, taking 45 runs in just 2 overs from Russell and Joseph.
Despite quick dismissals in the middle overs, including Smith (38), Brook (6), and Banton (3), England recovered. Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell tried to support Buttler, but the former England captain remained the standout. Buttler narrowly missed out on a century, falling for 96 in the 19th over. England posted a challenging 188/6 in 20 overs.
West Indies Falter Against Spin Despite Strong Start
Dawson Spins a Web Around the Caribbean Batters
West Indies began their chase positively with Evin Lewis and Roston Chase striking the ball cleanly. They reached 91/3 at the halfway mark, keeping themselves well within striking distance.
However, the complexion of the match changed in the 12th over when Liam Dawson dismissed Chase and another batter in quick succession. His mastery of pace variation and line restricted the Windies batsmen, and the chase unraveled.
From a competitive position, West Indies collapsed, with none of the lower-order batters reaching 20 runs. Bethell contributed with the ball too, taking two crucial wickets. Despite a few big hits in the final over from Romario Shepherd, the visitors fell short at 167/9 in 20 overs.
Match Summary and Key Performers
England 188/6 (Jos Buttler 96, Jamie Smith 38; Shepherd 2-33)
West Indies 167/9 (Evin Lewis 39, Roston Chase 24; Liam Dawson 4-20, Bethell 2-27)
Result: England won by 21 runs
👉 Read our full England vs West Indies ODI series recap for a detailed analysis of England’s recent dominance.
England’s Tactical Prowess Impresses
What stood out was England’s ability to adapt to the surface quickly and make strategic decisions. The use of spin in the middle overs by Dawson and Bethell was pivotal. Despite a tricky pitch, the decision to bat first and apply pressure early turned out to be spot-on.
As the series progresses, this win sets the tone for England’s quest to sweep another white-ball series.
For detailed T20I player stats, visit ESPN Cricinfo’s match center.
