England defeated West Indies by 4 wickets in the second T20I of the three-match series. The match took place at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol. Shai Hope and Johnson Charles gave West Indies a blazing start after an early setback on the very first ball. Then, fiery innings from Rovman Powell and Jason Holder helped the visitors post 196/6 in 20 overs.

England faced a big target of 197 runs, but they chased it down in style. They won the match with nine balls left, thanks to several quick contributions from the batters. Jos Buttler once again led the way. He scored 47 runs from 36 balls and kept the chase steady. Harry Brook also played an important role by adding 34 off just 20 deliveries. However, Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton stole the show. Their powerful hitting in the middle order helped England reach the target comfortably. This win gave England a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series, with the final match to be held in Southampton on Tuesday.

Early Blow to England

England won the toss and decided to bowl in the second T20I. Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles opened for West Indies. Luke Wood bowled the first over and struck immediately. He dismissed Evin Lewis on the very first ball, sending him back for a duck.

Hope and Charles build early momentum

Shai Hope came in at No. 3 to steady the innings. He and Charles formed a solid 50-run stand during the powerplay. By the 10-over mark, West Indies stood at 82/1. Charles had 29 off 26 balls, while Hope was nearing his fifty on 48 from 35 balls.

Middle overs see quick wickets

Adil Rashid ended Hope’s stay in the 11th over by stumping him for 49 off 38 balls. Sherfane Rutherford joined next and got off the mark with a single. However, after a tight over by Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell dismissed Rutherford in the 13th over. He scored just 6 off 8 balls.

Powell and Holder power the finish

Rowman Powell arrived and quickly lifted the scoring rate. His aggressive knock of 34 off 15 balls took West Indies past 100 and gave them a late push. In the 18th over, England removed him. Jason Holder then delivered a fiery cameo, smashing 29 off just 9 balls and staying unbeaten. Roston Chase ended the innings with a six, helping West Indies post a strong total of 196/6 in 20 overs.

Holder strikes early, but Buttler stabilises

Chasing 197, England opened with Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett. Jason Holder gave West Indies a strong start by removing Smith in the second over. Jos Buttler walked in and steadied the innings. He and Duckett stitched a 63-run stand before Romario Shepherd dismissed Duckett in the eighth over.

Buttler shows intent, gets lucky

Buttler kept the scoreboard ticking. He even played a bold reverse-hoick for six off Gudakesh Motie. While batting on 43, he nearly got out when he mishit a short ball off Alzarri Joseph. However, Charles dropped the catch at deep midwicket. “Buttler took up the cudgels, including an audacious reverse-hoick for six off Gudakesh Motie's second delivery.”

Brook hits big but departs early

As the required run rate climbed above 11, Harry Brook stepped up. He smashed 20 runs off one over from Shepherd, including a sharp cut for six and a misfield that frustrated the crowd. But Buttler soon got out for 47 while attempting a sweep off Akeal Hosein. This time, Charles held on to the catch at deep third.

Brook hit a six down the ground off Roston Chase, but two balls later, he found Powell in the deep and walked back. England was now 126/4 and under pressure.

Banton and Bethell swing momentum back

Tom Banton entered and hit a six off his first ball, making his intentions clear. Though Motie bowled a tight next over, Banton countered with a reverse hit for four and a straight six. Then Bethell exploded with three sixes in Joseph’s over. His quickfire 26 from 10 balls broke the chase wide open. He got out on the last ball of the over, hitting it straight to Chase at short third.

Will Jacks fell for 7, picking out cover. But Joseph’s five leg-side wides had already done the damage. Banton and Brydon Carse calmly completed the chase. England chased down 197 with nine balls to spare, winning the match by four wickets.

Brief Scorecard