Released by Rajasthan Royals, captain Jos Buttler announces his arrival after injury with 45-ball 83 to power England to 7-wicket win over West Indies

Arun Rawal

• Mon • 11 Nov 2024

Jos Buttler of England bats watched by West Indies wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran during the 2nd T20I between West Indies and England at Kensington Oval on November 10, 2024 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Jos Buttler, Nicholas Pooran

Highlights:

Rovman Powell top-scored with 43 runs from 41 balls.

Jos Buttler hit six sixes in his 45-ball 83.

England captain Jos Buttler led from the front and scored 83 runs from 45 balls as the visitors won the second T20I by seven wickets and took a 2-0 lead in the series against West Indies. England bowlers restricted West Indies for a below par score of 158/8. The target was chased down with 31 balls to spare at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Early wickets

Earlier, Buttler won the toss and opted to bowl first. Saqib Mahmood in his first over bowled a few wides but got the wicket of Brandon King. In the next over, Jofra Archer got rid of Evin Lewis. Roston Chase was dropped on the first ball but could not make the best of it. Chase got out lbw to Mahmood.After powerplay overs, West Indies were 44/3. Rovman Powell and Nicholas Pooran slowed down in the middle overs. West Indies were 63/3 at the halfway stage.

Lacklustre finish

Liam Livingstone ended Pooran's troubled stay at the crease. He got out stumped for a 23-ball 14. Powell tried to break free and hit Livingstone for a maximum. In the same over, Sherfane Rutherford got out lbw. Powell accelerated but he missed his half-century. Mousley scored 43 runs from 41 balls. Gudakesh Motie and Romario Shepherd hit a few boundaries in the slog overs. In the 18th over, Adil Rashid got the wicket of Motie. In the penultimate over, Sam Curran conceded 17 runs. In the last over, Shepherd departed for a 12-ball 22. West Indies managed to post 158/8.

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Buttler dominates run chase

In the run chase, On the first ball of the run chase, Phil Salt was dismissed for a golden duck by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein. Will Jacks and Buttler utilised the powerplay overs well. England were 56/1 after six overs. Shepherd conceded 21 runs in the sixth over. Buttler continued to hit big and reached his fifty with a six off Chase in the 10th over.

Buttler targetted Chase and hit him for a couple of sixes followed by a four. In the next over, Shepherd struck twice. Jacks departed for a 29-ball 38. Buttler's catch was dropped but he was caught at long-on next ball. His 45-ball 83 featured eight fours and six sixes. They were just consolation wickets as Livingstone hit two fours and a six off Shepherd in the 15th over to end the run chase.