Buttler stars as England race into 2-0 T20 series lead against West Indies

The England skipper hammers 83 off 45 as the tourists take control of the T20 series

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - England v Australia - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - November 4, 2023 England's Jos Buttler in action. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

England skipper Jos Buttler hammered a superb 83 off 45 balls to steer his side to a seven-wicket victory in the second Twenty20 international against West Indies in Barbados on Sunday, with the tourists storming to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

After England strolled to victory in the opening T20 at the Kensington Oval, West Indies' lower order again dragged them to a defendable total on the same ground 24 hours later, with 32 runs coming off the final two overs to help the hosts post 158.

Phil Salt went from an unbeaten centurion on Saturday to out first ball as England's reply initially stuttered, but Buttler, on his second start after a lengthy injury absence, plundered six sixes to give the tourists control of the series.

A Liam Livingstone six sealed the comprehensive success, with England able to wrap up a series victory in Saint Lucia on Thursday with two matches to spare.