Buttler, Dawson star as England take T20 series lead against West Indies

Liam Dawson marked his return with four wickets and Jos Buttler hit a superb 96 as England beat West Indies by 21 runs in the first T20 international in Chester-le-Street.

Playing his first international since November 2022 at the age of 35, left-arm spinner Dawson skillfully turned and deceived his way to 4-20 as England defended 189.

He took England’s first wicket in the Powerplay and, with the game in the balance, returned to claim another three through the middle as the Windies collapsed from 91-2 in the 10th over to 115-6.

They struggled on and, needing 48 from the final 12 balls, ended on 167-9.

Earlier, Buttler was near his inventive and destructive best in hitting six fours and four sixes in his 59 balls.

He put on 79 with Jamie Smith, who made 38 from 20 balls in his first innings as T20 opener, and 60 with Jacob Bethell as England posted 188-6 despite slowing after a fast start.

Victory extends England’s winning start under new captain Harry Brook, who replaced Buttler after he resigned following the dismal exit at the Champions Trophy in February.

With Buttler looking revitalised, England- 3-0 winners across the one-day internationals- can clinch the T20 series on Sunday in the second match in Bristol.

Buttler hints at bright post-captaincy era

The 3-0 ODI series win was the ideal start for Brook as white-ball captain but recovering England’s form in the T20 format- with a World Cup to come early next year- is of far greater significance.

While Brook has hinted he could re-energise the team, having Buttler at his best will be just as important as anything the Yorkshireman can do on the field.

Buttler, who has said he was drained by the end of his captaincy at the Champions Trophy, took 12 from his first 11 balls before playing an outrageous reverse scoop to Andre Russell’s seam.

In the sixth over he launched Alzarri Joseph twice over mid-wicket and flicked the West Indies quick for a six and a four to fine leg as England scored 78 in the Powerplay, despite Ben Duckett being caught for one off a top edge in the second over.

Afterwards Buttler lost the strike and subsequently his rhythm.

West Indies’ spinners dragged the scoring back, with left-armer Gudakesh Motie conceding only 21 from his four overs.

Smith hit to mid-wicket, Brook was bowled by off-spinner Roston Chase for six and Tom Banton pinned lbw by Russell for four.

With Jacob Bethell struggling to get going in his run-a-ball 23, Buttler was trapped in front by Joseph within a hit of his second T20 century for England in the penultimate over.

Still, having made 41 not out from just 20 balls in the third ODI on Tuesday, Buttler has hinted his post-captaincy era may be a profitable one. (BBC)