Arjit - Sunday, Jun 08, 2025Date: 8 June 2025
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Venue: County Ground, Bristol.
The second match of the three-match T20I series between England and West Indies will be played today at the County Ground in Bristol. In the first T20I, England defeated West Indies by 21 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. With this win, the hosts will enter the field with the intention of capturing the series, while the West Indies team will try their best to make a comeback and level the series.
England performed brilliantly in the first T20I, especially Jos Buttler's explosive innings of 96 runs helped the team to put up a big score. Liam Dawson's lethal bowling (4 wickets) also played an important role in the victory. England's batting line-up looks strong, with players like Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett and captain Harry Brook. They also have variety in bowling, with fast bowlers like Matthew Potts and Jacob Bethell and spinners like Liam Dawson. The team is full of confidence on their home ground and will be eager to win the series.
In the first match, the West Indies batsmen started well, but they fell behind the target due to continuous loss of wickets in the middle overs. Evin Lewis played some good shots, but he did not get the expected support from the rest of the batsmen. This match is a 'do or die' for the West Indies. They need to improve in both their batting and bowling departments. Under the captaincy of Shai Hope, the team will have to perform unitedly to make a strong comeback. Romario Shepherd took two wickets in the first match, which is a positive sign for the team.
The County Ground in Bristol is considered a paradise for batsmen. The pitch here is flat and bouncy, giving the batsmen a chance to play freely. Due to the small boundaries, big scores are seen here. A score of 180-190 runs can be a good target for the team batting first. According to the statistics, chasing targets has also been easy on this ground, with both batting first and chasing teams winning equal number of matches. Pacers may get some help initially, but as the game progresses, spinners and batsmen can dominate.
The weather is expected to be clear in Bristol on June 8 and there is less chance of rain. The temperature will be between 34-37 degrees Celsius, which will provide favorable conditions for cricket.
Batsman-dominated pitch: Since the pitch is favorable for batsmen, include more top-order batsmen in your fantasy team.
Wicketkeeper: Jos Buttler (Captain), Shai Hope
Batsmen: Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Brandon King
All-rounders: Liam Dawson (Vice-Captain), Andre Russell, Roston Chase
Bowlers: Matthew Potts, Akeel Hossain, Gudakesh Moti
Role of the toss: The team winning the toss may decide to bowl first, as chasing targets has also been easy in Bristol.
Given England's performance in the first T20I and their familiarity with home conditions, they seem to have a slight edge. West Indies certainly have the ability to turn the match around, especially their explosive batsmen. However, England's balanced squad and the recent form of their players make them favorites in this match. An exciting and high-scoring encounter is expected, with England having a high chance of winning. West Indies will be desperate to level the series, making this match even more interesting.
