Buttler stars in second IT20 win in Barbados

Jos Buttler smashed a blistering 83 from 45 balls as England cruised to a seven-wicket win over West Indies to take a 2-0 series lead.

The England captain came in after Phil Salt was dismissed from the first ball of the tourists’ chase and proceeded to hit eight fours and six sixes in a stunning knock.

Buttler, in his second match back from injury, dominated a 129-run stand with opener Will Jacks before the pair fell in the same Romario Shepherd over.

However, the damage had been done and the visitors went on to overhaul West Indies’ 158/8 with 31 balls to spare.

England are 2-0 up in the five-match series after victory in both matches in Barbados and now head to St Lucia for the last three games of the tour.

Earlier, West Indies again had to rely on lower-order runs to take them up to a somewhat competitive total.

After slipping to 35-3 in the powerplay, Rovman Powell led the rebuild for the home side, but when Warwickshire’s Dan Mousley bowled him for 43, they were 102/6.

A few lusty blows from Shepherd, Matthew Forde and debutant Terrance Hinds got West Indies beyond 150 but, with Buttler in such fine form, England made light work of knocking off the runs.

Buttler said: “It is great to spend time in the middle. I was a bit scratchy for the first few balls but I managed to come through that period and really enjoyed it.

“I have played for a while and batted in lots different positions. I am just waiting to see what happens and playing what is in front of me.”

West Indies captain Rovman Powell added: “Unfortunately we’ve not been on the mark in all three departments in the first two games. St Lucia provides a new challenge and hopefully the guys will be ready, with the series still on the line.

“We need to show heart, determination not to go 3-0 down. If you win to go 2-1 then we set up the series. I like when we play cricket with our destiny still in our hands.”