England cruise to 21-run win in T20I series opener

England cruise to 21-run win in T20I series opener

England began the three-match T20I series with a commanding 21-run win over West Indies. Jos Buttler's 59-ball 96 set England up for an above-par 188/6 on a slow surface, while Liam Dawson's 4-20 tore through the West Indies' batting order.

England won the toss and opted to bat on a slow surface at Chester-le-Street, Durham. Jamie Smith started with a glorious straight drive, and he and Buttler took their time to get used to the pace of the wicket before cutting loose. The English duo blasted 45 runs in the fifth and sixth overs, taking England to 77/1 after the powerplay.

The West Indies bowlers took the pace off and bowled into the wicket, taking three quick wickets. Buttler kept the scoreboard ticking with some audacious strokeplay, but was trapped LBW in the 19th over. England finished with 188/6, with Jacks being run-out off the final delivery.

The West Indies started well, but Dawson picked up his first wicket, Charles, with a lovely sequence of pace variations. Shai Hope fell early, but Roston Chase and Evin Lewis kept the West Indies afloat. Bethell was carted around for 24, but he had the last laugh as Lewis holed out off the final delivery. Dawson's double-strike in the 12th over shoved the West Indies on to a different course.

The English spinners dominated the second half, and the game was far gone by the time a messy 20th over from Potts went for 15 runs. Brief Scores: England 188/6 in 20 overs (Buttler 96, Jamie Smith 38) won against West Indies 167/9 in 20 overs (Lewis 39, Chase 24) by 21 runs.