England defeated West Indies by 37 runs in the third T20I of the three match series at the Utilita Bowl on Tuesday. Consequently, they sealed the series 3–0. It also marked back-to-back white-ball series wins under new captain Harry Brook.
Earlier, Shai Hope had won the toss and chose to bowl. However, the decision worked in England’s favor.
Duckett and Smith Dominate Early
First, Ben Duckett struck a blazing 84. Jamie Smith, on the other hand, supported with 60 — his first T20I fifty. Together, they put up 120 runs in under nine overs.
Then, Jacob Bethell added a rapid 36* to finish strong. As a result, England posted 248 for 3 — their second-highest T20I score ever, and their best at home.
West Indies Respond, But Fall Short
In reply, West Indies went after the target aggressively. They hit 14 sixes, nearly matching England’s 15. Rovman Powell led the charge with an unbeaten 79 off 45 balls.
Even so, West Indies only managed 211 for 8. The match set a new combined run record for a T20I in England. Moreover, England now lead West Indies 19–18 in overall T20I head-to-heads — a first.
Duckett Shows His Versatility
Notably, Duckett reached his third T20I half-century in just 20 balls. That was the fourth-fastest for England. Clearly, he’s become a dependable player in all formats.
Since returning to T20Is in India this year, he has stayed consistent. Earlier in the season, he nearly scored centuries across all formats. He made 165 in the Champions Trophy and 140 in a Test vs Zimbabwe. Now, this 84 became his highest T20I score.
Right from the start, he showed intent. He played a reverse slap over the covers off Akeal Hosein. Then, he switched between sweeps and straight shots to unsettle the field. One particular six, hit behind square from a wide ball, stood out.
Thus, Duckett’s sharp thinking and confidence helped his partner Jamie Smith too. Smith has now scored maiden fifties in both formats within a week.
Brief Scorecard
Previously under Eoin Morgan, England had developed a killer instinct. They even won matches comfortably when Morgan sat out. Now, Brook seems to be bringing that same edge. Before the match, he said, "We want to start nailing teams down into the ground." True to his words, he kept the playing XI unchanged — a sign of belief.
England didn’t need to be flawless to win this time. Yet, they delivered a ruthless performance from start to finish. Therefore, signs suggest they’re rebuilding that old winning mindset.
Meanwhile, West Indies had a terrible tour. They lost the series on Sunday. Then, they were crushed again in Southampton. Moreover, Nicholas Pooran shocked fans on Monday by retiring at age 29. He was seen as a future star. Now, his sudden exit has left a big gap — especially with the T20 World Cup just eight months away. Even if they had beaten England, his loss would have stung. But after three straight defeats, the outlook is even worse. West Indies, once T20 champions, now seem to be fading fast.
Interestingly, they hit more sixes than England over the series (35 to 32). Yet, that wasn’t enough. The game has evolved. Pure power no longer guarantees wins. Thus, they cannot afford a complete rebuild right now. But clearly, they must fix their issues quickly. Stay tuned with JUSZNEWS for regular updates!