New Delhi: Skipper Jos Buttler’s bludgeoning 83-run knocked enabled England to register a seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second match of their T20I series, moving them 2-0 ahead in the five-match series.
After restricting the home side to 158 for eight at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday, Buttler took matters in his own hands blasting eight fours and six sixes in his 45-ball knock as the visitors reached their target in 14.5 overs.
England lost last match’s century maker Phil Salt on the first ball of their innings to spinner Akeal Hosein. But Buttler was on form from the very beginning.
When he was dropped by Sherfane Rutherford at extra-cover off Romario Shepherd in the 13th over, it seemed he was destined for a century. But he was dismissed on the very next delivery he was caught by West Indies skipper Rovman Powell at long-off.
Buttler got support from Will Jacks (38 off 29 balls, including five fours and one six), and put together a 129-run second-wicket stand with him.
“It was scratchy for the first couple of balls but when I got going I really enjoyed it. It was great to be back out there,” Buttler said after being named the man of the match.
Earlier, Rovman Powell was West Indies’ top scorer with 43 off 41 balls (two fours, two sixes). But his dismissal in the 16th over put West Indies in trouble at 102 for six.
Shepherd hit a quickfire 22 off 12 balls as West Indies benefitted from a rearguard action. For England, Liam Livingstone was the most impressive bowler with two for 16 and then remained unbeaten on 23 off 11 balls, taking his team past the finishing line.
West Indies had won the ODI series that preceded the T20 series 2-1. The third T20I match of the series will be held in St Lucia on November 15.
Jos Buttler struck 83 runs as England defeated West Indies by seven wickets in the second T20I Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
