England earn comfortable win over the West Indies in T20 showdown

Jos Buttler's explosive innings of 83 propelled England to a commanding seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second match of their T20 International series at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday.

Chasing the home team's score of 158 for eight, the visiting captain seized control of the match, striking eight fours and six sixes in just 45 balls, transforming a potentially difficult target into a straightforward chase.

The England team successfully reached 161 for three in only 14.4 overs, thereby taking a 2-0 lead as they head into the final three matches of the series in St. Lucia, commencing next Thursday.

Buttler entered the game after just the second ball of the innings, following the dismissal of Phil Salt, who had been the match-winner in the first game but fell to spinner Akeal Hosein. Buttler quickly targeted a West Indies bowling attack that was missing suspended pacer Alzarri Joseph, injured all-rounder Andre Russell, and debutant seamer Terrance Hinds, who faced a challenging introduction against the aggressive Buttler.

A second T20 International century seemed within reach for Buttler, but after being dropped by Sherfane Rutherford at extra cover off Romario Shepherd in the 13th over, he was dismissed on the very next ball, as his attempt to clear the boundary was caught by West Indies captain Rovman Powell at long-off.

Buttler's innings was pivotal in a second-wicket partnership of 129 with Will Jacks, who contributed 38 runs off 29 balls, including five fours and one six.

"It was a bit scratchy at the start, but once I found my rhythm, I really enjoyed it. It was fantastic to be back out there," Buttler remarked after receiving the “Man of the Match” award.

Jacks was one of two wickets claimed by Shepherd, who had his catch taken at long-off by Matthew Forde, who, along with the rest of the West Indies lower order, provided valuable late runs after the team was put in to bat on a pitch that had been refreshed by consistent rain earlier in the day.

Powell was the leading scorer, amassing 43 runs from 41 deliveries, which included two fours and two sixes. However, his dismissal in the 16th over placed the innings in a precarious position at 102 for six. Shepherd contributed a quick 22 runs off 12 balls, injecting some late momentum into the home team's innings, aided by the lower order.

Liam Livingstone excelled as a bowler, taking two wickets for 16 runs, and he remained not out at the conclusion of the match, scoring 23 runs off 11 balls to secure the victory.

Nonetheless, nothing could overshadow Buttler's impressive performance, which positions the tourists favorably to seek retribution for their 2-1 defeat to the West Indies in the previous One-Day International series.