Windies Stumble in Opening T20I Against England: A Tale of Missed Chances and Lessons to Learn

-Timothy Thompson

The West Indies entered the first match of their T20I series against England with hope and plenty of optimism despite the team being somewhat handicapped. This occurred because of a documentation reform which now causes trinidadian citizens to have to get a visa to get into the United Kingdom. Due to it not being processed in time it warranted Top bowler Akeal Hosein and Jyd Goolie from joining the team.

This first T20I game was a chance to show that the current crop could mix power, skill, and experience into a winning combination but instead, the opening game at Chester-le-Street on June 6, 2025, left fans frustrated and disappointed. England clinched the match by 21 runs, exposing cracks in the West Indies’ game plan and execution that must be fixed fast if they want to keep this series alive.

England won the toss and opted to bat first on a pitch that looked good for strokeplay, with true bounce and carry for the bowlers. The visitors were keen to put runs on the board and put pressure on the home side early on. Ben Duckett fell cheaply, caught off the bowling of Romario Shepherd, but then England’s skipper Jos Buttler took over in a big way. Buttler had been out of the T20 international spotlight for a while, but here, he looked every bit the leader and match-winner his team needed. His innings of 96 from just 59 balls was full of controlled aggression. Buttler was smart with the field, rotating the strike cleverly and hitting boundaries when the ball was in the right areas. He smashed six fours and four sixes in a display that mixed finesse with brutal power.

Backing him up was Jamie Smith, who fell short of his maiden T20I half century but still presented an innings boost with his 38 runs off just 20 deliveries. Smith’s cameo, along with the run a ball 23 from Jacob Bethell pushed England to 188 for 6 by the end of their 20 overs, a strong total but not untouchable on a pitch that offered true bounce and pace.

The West Indies bowling attack showed glimpses but struggled to keep the run rate in check. Romario Shepherd took two wickets but was a bit expensive, conceding 33 runs in his four overs. Alzarri Joseph and Andre Russell tried to hold things tight in the middle overs, but England’s batsmen found the gaps when it counted. The absence of Akeal Hosein in the playing XI due to visa issues was felt by the West Indies, especially in their spin department.

The chase for the West Indies began on a promising note. Evin Lewis, looked in good touch. He raced to 39 off just 23 balls, flashing the bat with trademark ease through the offside and clearing the boundary with authority on multiple occasions. He and Johnson Charles, who contributed 18 off 15 balls, helped put the Windies in a fairly decent position early on.

Captain Shai Hope was in at number three, looking to steady the innings and push the run rate forward. But then, England brought on Liam Dawson, their left-arm orthodox spinner making a comeback after a two-year absence from international cricket. Dawson bowled with tremendous control, varying his pace and flight and forcing the West Indies batsmen into mistakes.

Dawson’s spell turned the game. He claimed four crucial wickets for just 20 runs, cutting through the West Indies middle order and ending any hopes of a comeback. His victims included Charles, who was trying to accelerate, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford. With the middle order in tatters, the Windies were left scrambling. Andre Russell tried to inject some late momentum but failed to make an impact. West Indies finished on 167 for 9, a massive 21 runs short of the target. It was a disappointment not because England were untouchable, but because of the chances the Windies left on the table. There were too many dot balls in crucial phases of the innings, and too many batsmen tried to force shots against Dawson instead of rotating the strike and building partnerships.

The bowling was a mixed bag as well. While Shepherd’s early strikes gave hope, the lack of penetration from other bowlers allowed England to post a challenging total. The fielding was solid in patches but lacked the consistent intensity needed to choke a batting lineup of England’s quality.

England, by contrast, were clinical. Buttler’s knock was the difference, and Dawson’s return to form gave them the edge they needed. The hosts will feel confident going into the second T20I on June 8 at Bristol.

For West Indies fans, the game was a reminder of the fine margins in T20 cricket and the importance of seizing moments when they come. The talent is there. From Lewis’ aggressive start to Motie’s disciplined bowling and Powell’s power-hitting. But it’s the small details, rotating the strike, holding partnerships together, executing bowling plans that can’t be overlooked. This series is far from over. The West Indies have two games left to turn things around, and if they can fix the middle-over batting woes and sharpen their bowling plans, especially against spin, there’s every chance they’ll level the series and possibly go on to win it.

The players and coaches know the work ahead won’t be easy, but with the right mindset and focus, the maroon brigade can come back stronger. After all, T20 cricket is as much about mental toughness and discipline as it is about talent. West Indies fans will be hoping to see more grit, determination, and tactical nous from their team in Bristol.