Jos Buttler’s Explosive 96 and Liam Dawson’s Stunning Return Lead England to 21-Run Victory Over West Indies in 1st T20I
In a thrilling start to the three-match T20I series, Jos Buttler marked his return to the shortest format with a breathtaking 96 off just 59 balls, guiding England to a commanding 21-run victory over the West Indies at Chester-le-Street on Friday. Stripped of captaincy duties but not of flair, Buttler unleashed a batting masterclass, blending audacious reverse sweeps, daring ramps, and textbook strokes to notch up six fours and four towering sixes. His knock fell agonizingly short of a century, trapped lbw by Alzarri Joseph, who endured a tough day, conceding 51 runs in his four overs.
England’s total of 188/6 set a daunting target, but the West Indies’ chase was derailed by a remarkable comeback performance from Liam Dawson. The 35-year-old left-arm spinner, playing his first T20I in nearly three years, turned the game on its head with career-best figures of 4-20. Dawson dismantled the West Indies middle order, removing key batters like Johnson Charles, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, and captain Rovman Powell, leaving the visitors reeling at 167/9.
Under the leadership of new captain Harry Brook, England executed a strategic blueprint tailored for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in India and Sri Lanka. Brook’s decision to bowl 12 overs of spin, with contributions from Adil Rashid and young prospect Jacob Bethell alongside Dawson, paid dividends on a pitch offering turn. ‘Dawson bowled beautifully. He’s got an array of skills that can trouble any batter,’ Brook praised. He also hinted at experimentation, stating, ‘We’re testing structures for the future, and today, it worked.’
The West Indies, meanwhile, felt the absence of their talismanic spinner Akeal Hosein, who missed the game due to delays in obtaining a UK visa. Veteran all-rounder Jason Holder lamented the void left by Hosein, saying, ‘He’s one of our frontline bowlers, and we missed him dearly. But we still had a side capable of beating England—we just didn’t execute with the bat.’ Their batting faltered under pressure, with no batter able to anchor the chase against England’s disciplined spin attack.
As the series moves to Bristol for the second T20I on Sunday, England hold a 1-0 lead and will look to seal the series. The West Indies, however, will be desperate to bounce back, hoping Hosein joins the squad in time to bolster their attack. With Buttler in scintillating form and Dawson rediscovering his mojo, the stage is set for another cracker of a contest in this high-octane series.
Brief Scores:
England: 188/6 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 96; Alzarri Joseph 2-51)
West Indies: 167/9 in 20 overs (Johnson Charles 38; Liam Dawson 4-20)