West Indies vs England | Cricket Match Prediction | 1st T20I | Nov 10 – Can ENG win over WI after losing the ODI series? 

WI vs ENG Match Analysis

At 02:00 am BST on November 10, 2024, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, will host the first T20I of a five-match T20I series between the West Indies and England.

The West Indies’ latest T20I series saw them suffer a 2-1 defeat to Sri Lanka on their turf. They also came up short in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year after losing to England. The home side will have plenty to prove as they aim to reclaim their place among the top T20 teams.

England enter this T20I series aiming to reshape their approach to the shortest format of white-ball cricket.

WI vs ENG Team Preview & Squads

West Indies 

West Indies will rely on Rovman Powell to lead their revival in T20I cricket, with him being a key middle-order power hitter. Kyle Mayers and Brandon King will form a strong left-hand and right-hand opening partnership, aiming to disrupt the English bowlers’ rhythm.

Nicholas Pooran will bat at number three, followed by Shimron Hetmyer, who will add strength against both pace and spin in the middle-order. The batting lineup is poised to take an aggressive approach against the English bowlers.

Andre Russell will play a pivotal role in finishing the innings with explosive batting, particularly in the death overs, while also offering a wicket-taking threat with his fast bowling after the halfway mark. He will have other hard-hitters like Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd backing him up.

Given the bowling conditions the teams are expected to have faced, the WI bowling unit is primarily built on pace to cover different game stages. The new-ball pace attack will be spearheaded by Obed McCoy and Alzarri Joseph. Following the powerplay, Akeal Hosein’s left-arm spin will regulate the run rate.

If the surface gives him any chance, he can be a threat to take wickets. Once the new-ball attack has done its job, the English hitters will be under to additional pressure from the versatile all-rounders Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd.

West Indies Squads

West Indies Squads

Rovman Powell, Shamar Joseph, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen, Sherfane Rutherford, Terrance Hinds, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Brandon King, Shamar Springer, and Andre Fletcher.

England

England’s batting strategy will focus on the top two providing a solid foundation, allowing the explosive middle-order to finish the game with powerful hits clearing the boundary.

Jos Buttler, the captain, will lead the top order and probably open with Phil Salt. They may wreck bowlers’ stats as an opening pair. Salt’s 331 runs in five innings during the last T20I series against the West Indies earned him the title of player of the series.

Will Jacks, Jordan Cox, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, and Jacob Bethell make up the middle order. In their own right, each of them can ruin the game. Jordan Cox is the only player on the list who cannot bowl and bat with authority.

Because ENG’s team is so full of all-rounders, even if they struggle in one area of their game, they have enough individuals who can alter the outcome.

When it comes to bowling, England has an arsenal that is suitable for the conditions at Kensington Oval. Jofra Archer leads the speed attack, with Reece Topley providing backup. Topley will make use of the bounce of the surface to put the West Indies hitters to the test.

In the middle overs, there are enough possibilities to take wickets thanks to the leg-spinning master and apprentice of Adil Rashid and youthful Rehan Ahmed. On a pitch that may slow down and turn a little, they will also have plenty of options.

England Squads

England Squads

Jos Buttler, Jordan Cox, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Jafer Chohan, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, and John Turner.

West Indies vs England outfield report

Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

There will be some lighting during this day/night match at Kensington Oval. Like in most day/night T20Is, both teams may try to bowl first. To chase the majority of targets, both sides will also support their potent batting lines.

There is a 44 percent probability of rain and sporadic thunderstorms on Saturday in Barbados, according to the weather prediction. Usually, the temperature will be tropical.

A well-balanced surface that has enough for both bowlers and batsmen should be available. If the surface slows down and begins to turn, it could be challenging to escape the spinners. 

West Indies vs England Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

West Indies won two and England won three in their last five face-offs.

West Indies vs England Prediction

Cricket analysts predict West Indies has a 51% chance of winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.