England were humbled in the first game, being bowled out for just 103 after earlier slipping to 49-7, as the dominant Windies made the perfect start in Barbados.
The tourists then hit back in the second game, winning in the end by one run. England always appeared in control on Sunday but the hosts staged a remarkable late fightback when needing what looked like being an out-of-reach 30 in the final over. Akeal Hosein had other ideas, though, as he struck a remarkable 28 off Saqib Mahmood, including three sixes off the last three balls, to ensure it was the tightest of finishes.
That was some finish!
Victory to bring the series level
Match Centre: https://t.co/FI3GXfZx4g
#WIvENG
pic.twitter.com/2TZuyRFDtS
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 23, 2022
England Favourites to Take Lead
That set things up perfectly for the third game between them at the same venue on Wednesday, for which England are favourites at 4/7 to take a 2-1 lead, while West Indies are 5/4 to come out on top.
As they prepare to once again take to what has been a difficult pitch at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, with three matches to go, it’s clear both have more to give.
Roy Bursts Into Life
After a fairly dismal batting performance in the first game, England at least improved in the second clash with Jason Roy, in particular, looking much more like himself with a knock of 45 off 31 balls.
It had been a slow start for Roy but he burst into life with 24 off Fabian Allen’s 11th over, as England generally stepped on the gas in the second half of the innings, managing 107 runs.
Moeen Ali also chipped in with a solid 31 off 24 deliveries as England just about did enough with their total of 171-8, helped by Chris Jordan and captain Eoin Morgan adding 31 at 10 runs an over late on.
There are several candidates then when looking to select who might be England’s top batsman on Wednesday. Roy looks like a fairly obvious choice at 11/4 but Moeen, who made up for his duck in the first match with that quickfire 31, also looks tempting at 9/2.
Jordan Catching the Eye
Barbados-born Jordan has been keen to impress back on familiar territory but it’s surprisingly been with the bat rather than the ball that the 33-year-old has shone so far, with important scores of 27 and 28.
If he can add a similar amount down the order in the third game and also start to take some wickets, he could come into contention for the Man of The Match award, for which he’s available at 12/1.
West Indies bowled brilliantly in the first T20 with Jason Holder the inspiration as he twice took two wickets in two balls to end with figures of 4-7. He then followed up with two more wickets for 25 runs in the second game and Holder makes plenty of appeal at 3/1 to maintain his good form and emerge as the Windies’ top bowler again.
England remain the top-ranked T20 side in the world, with the Windies sitting way down at 10th on that list but, taking the conditions into account, the two teams look much more evenly matched in this series.
England have been far from their best so far and will be wary they nearly threw it away in the second match from a position of control. All in all, the home side will go into the third clash with plenty of hope that they can take a 2-1 lead into Saturday’s crucial fourth encounter.
*All odds correct at time of writing.