Buttler Finds Form as England Level ODI Series Against West Indies

Jos Buttler must be feeling double the joy today. Not only did England convincingly defeat West Indies in the second ODI to level the series, but the skipper himself rediscovered his batting form, a crucial element for England’s success as it has been for the past few years.

Winning the toss and opting to bowl first was a shrewd decision by Buttler. Previously, he seemed fixated on batting first, but this match showcased his adaptability and willingness to play according to the situation. This strategy paid dividends for England.

Sam Curran, particularly, had a point to prove after being pummeled by the West Indies in the first ODI, conceding over 90 runs in less than 10 overs. He responded with a stellar performance, capturing three wickets for just 33 runs.

Within the first seven overs, England had reduced the West Indies to 25 for 4, putting them firmly in control. While Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford provided some resistance, their partnership was broken at 150, triggering a West Indies collapse that saw them bowled out for 202.

Liam Livingstone also chipped in with three wickets for 39 runs, while Rehan Ahmed impressed with his controlled spin, claiming two wickets despite being young and relatively new to the international stage. Rehan is wonderful talent going ahead for England.

Firm & Controlled Chase by England 

Chasing 203 was a formality for England, but it presented an opportunity to regain their form. As usual, Phil Salt and Will Jacks provided a blistering start with their attacking approach as the latter scored second half-century of his career.

Read More: Rob Key backs Jos Buttler to Lead England in ODI revival

Although Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were dismissed cheaply, it had no significant impact on the game. Harry Brook continues to impress as a reliable and mature batsman, playing a composed innings of 43 and guiding the chase and staying there till the end.

However, the most exciting aspect for England was Jos Buttler’s return to form. His 58 runs off 45 balls, including some powerful strokes, were a welcome sight and a major positive for England moving forward in this series.