England Stun West Indies with Daring 197 Chase in 2nd T20I

England 199/6 (Buttler 47, Brook 34, Banton 30) beat West Indies 196/6 (Hope 49, Charles 47, Wood 2-25) by 4 wickets*

Bristol witnessed a T20 blockbuster as England clinched a pulsating four-wicket win over West Indies, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. With a chase of 197 under the lights and a batting order full of intent, England delivered a statement win, paced by captain Jos Buttler, ignited by Harry Brook, and sealed by the youthful punch of Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton.

Table of Contents

Brook Wanted a Chase – And West Indies Delivered in Style

At the toss, Harry Brook said he “fancied a chase”. What followed was a six-hitting West Indian masterclass that gave him exactly that. The Windies’ innings included 15 towering sixes, with a jaw-dropping 31-run over off Adil Rashid, the second-most expensive in England’s T20 history. The final four overs alone yielded 75 runs, sending the Bristol crowd into a frenzy and England into a high-pressure chase like the CT 2025 final between India and New Zealand.

But even that explosive finish couldn’t outdo England’s calculated, fearless, and eventually dominant response.

Luke Wood’s Comeback Steals the Spotlight Early On

In a match dominated by batters, Luke Wood’s return to international cricket after nearly 9 months was a difference-maker. With a gusty crosswind aiding his natural inswing, Wood delivered a peach first ball – full, fast, and swinging in to uproot Evin Lewis’ toes. It set the tone like Kohli in the semi-final.

His opening two-over spell conceded just 4 runs, silencing the West Indies’ usually rapid powerplay surge. Though Brydon Carse took a beating later, Wood came back for a second spell and removed Johnson Charles with a sharp deflection onto the stumps, finishing with an economical 2 for 25, to create another upset.

Hope and Charles Spark but Fail to Capitalize

Shai Hope and Johnson Charles steadied the innings after Lewis’ early departure. Hope looked fluent, smashing Carse over long-off multiple times. Charles joined the party with sixes over midwicket like he did in Bangladesh, but both failed to convert starts. Hope fell for 49 off 37, stumped off a spinning beauty from Rashid, while Charles’ 47 off 38 lacked fluency, marred by 15 dot balls.

Once they fell, England’s spinners tied things down until the late blitz began, like in CT 2025.

Rashid’s Nightmare Over, Holder’s Power Surge

Jason Holder, with a point to prove, brought carnage. He smoked Adil Rashid for three sixes in four balls, as Romario Shepherd also got in on the act. Rashid’s 19th over went for 31, including five sixes – a haunting echo of West Indies’ 2016 World Cup final finish in Kolkata.

Still, Wood pulled it back slightly at the death, and the Windies closed on a formidable 196/6. Brook got his wish for a chase – a daunting one.

England’s Chase Starts Steady – Then Shifts Gears

Jamie Smith fell early, but Jos Buttler looked in imperious touch from the get-go, like Josh Inglis. He drove Holder for a stylish six and controlled the innings beautifully. Ben Duckett added spice, reverse-scooping and dinking with flair during a rapid 30 off 18, including a six over the keeper.

The 58-run powerplay laid a solid foundation, but Duckett’s dismissal opened the door for the West Indies to claw back.

Buttler Leads, Brook Blazes, Charles Fumbles

Buttler’s mix of power and touch included a jaw-dropping reverse-hoop for six off Motie, which he mastered in domestic cricket. He looked set for another match-winning knock until a mistimed sweep sent him packing for 47 off 36.

Brook had arrived earlier and now took the mantle. A cut shot for six off a full toss and a misfield from Charles lifted England’s tempo. But just when England had control, Brook fell attempting another big one – gone for 34 off 20.

At 126 for 4, the chase was at a crossroads.

Banton and Bethell’s Youthful Blaze Seals It

Enter Tom Banton and Jacob Bethell — young, fearless, and ruthless. Banton launched his first ball for six, while Bethell smashed three stunning sixes in Joseph’s over. Their combined 56 runs off 21 balls flipped the match on its head, like a godfather.

Bethell fell for 26 off 10, but his explosive cameo broke the required run rate. Even with a hiccup as Will Jacks holed out, West Indies’ erratic bowling – especially Joseph’s five wides in one over – handed control back to England.

Banton, calm and calculated, steered England home with an unbeaten 30 off 16, as England wrapped up the win with nine balls to spare.

Key Performers

Player	Performance
Luke Wood	2/25 in 4 overs (economical & lethal spells)
Jos Buttler	47 off 36 (anchored the chase)
Harry Brook	34 off 20 (momentum-shifting cameo)
Tom Banton	30* off 16 (finished the job)
Jacob Bethell	26 off 10 (three sixes that changed the game)
Jason Holder	29* off 9 (explosive death-overs cameo)
Shai Hope	49 off 37 (anchor of WI innings)
Johnson Charles	47 off 38 (slow but powerful middle innings)

What does This mean for England?

This win marks five out of five under Brook’s interim leadership. More than just wins, it’s the emergence of new heroes – Bethell, Banton, Smith – combined with the resurgence of players like Wood and Carse.

It shows England are building depth and flexibility – chasing big totals, absorbing pressure, and finding finishing power beyond Buttler or Brook.

Looking Ahead: Series Finale in Southampton

With the series sealed 2-0, the third T20I in Southampton on Tuesday could be a platform for further experimentation – or a chance to complete a whitewash. For the West Indies, it’s time to fix their middle-overs misfires and bowling discipline. For England, it’s a celebration of bold cricket, depth, and renewed energy under Brook’s attacking mindset.