In the Caribbean, it's win toss, win match, as five games into this white-ball tour, all five have been won by the team that won the toss. England was the latest beneficiary, winning by seven wickets to take a two-nil lead in the five-match series. As the coin settled, Jos Buttler smiled, while his opposing captain Rovman Powell playfully punched his ribs. They both knew the significance of this match, which started at 4pm and was threatened by potential rain, hinged on a simple heads or tails decision.
Dew is a factor in cricket worldwide, but as interim head coach Marcus Trescothick explained, it's the combination of dew and the Caribbean wickets' nature—slow and stoppy during the day, fast and slick with dew in the evening—that makes the shift in conditions so dramatic. Matches at the Kensington Oval during the Caribbean Premier League start at night, somewhat leveling the advantage of batting second, but this series starts at 4pm to better suit a UK TV audience. This timing has created a perfect storm where conditions have a maximum influence on the game. Privately, some England players believe winning three tosses out of five is the key to victory in this series. So far, they are two from two.
However, capitalizing on luck is crucial, and England did just that in favorable bowling conditions. An excellent bowling display was complemented by Jos Buttler's masterclass, smashing 83 from 45 balls. Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood were superb with the new ball in overcast conditions, getting the ball to swing wildly. Archer was at his unplayable best, while Mahmood found his rhythm after a shaky start. Mahmood and Archer are close friends, often spending their spare time together on the island.
England's bowling performance was impressive. Sam Curran delivered a maiden in the eighth over, and Adil Rashid regularly bowled with a slip and a leg-slip, leaving the West Indies struggling in challenging conditions. They managed to reach 158 thanks to 32 runs in the final two overs. Phil Salt, who scored a century on Saturday, was dismissed for a golden duck on Sunday. However, there was no real jeopardy during the chase. England chose not to attack the left-arm spin of Akeal Hosein and instead took their risks elsewhere.
Buttler, batting at No 3 for only the third time for England, took a while to get going but then launched into his signature form, making him one of the most watchable cricketers in the world. Faced with Gudakesh Motie, Buttler launched him over the Worrell, Weekes, and Walcott Stand. As they searched for the ball, Buttler flashed his bicep with a wink to his teammate Will Jacks. Before the series, Buttler said his main priority was to enjoy his cricket again. At the Kensington Oval, he did exactly that.
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