This event has expired GGPoker Bonus Code

West Indies vs England First T20I Tips - Big hitting contest on the cards

By Siddhu Bharadwaj

11 Dec 2023

Siddhu Bharadwaj 11 Dec 2023

Share this article

West Indies vs England First T20I predictions to be played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados in the early morning hours on Wednesday, Indian time
West Indies have struck the most 6s in 7 of their last 8 T20Is
England conceded the most 6s in 3 of their last 4 away T20Is against the West Indies

Can the returning T20 regulars boost the Windies' chances? (Getty Images)

West Indies vs England First T20I

The ODIs are brushed aside and it is time for the five T20Is between West Indies and England. These will serve as the pre-cursor to their preparations for the World Cup next year and should see both teams search for answers to their squad selection. The first of the matches will be played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Indian time.

West Indies vs England First T20I
Head to Head
West Indies Form
West Indies Team News
England Form
England Team News

As both teams look to finetune their World Cup preparations, I can see that the Windies are packed with strong hitters. Although England have their fair share of strong six-hitters, the hosts have a slight edge on that front. I am backing the West Indies to hit the most 6s of the match.

West Indies struck the most 6s in 5 of their last 7 home matches (T20Is)
West Indies have struck the most 6s in 7 of their last 8 matches (T20Is)
England conceded the most 6s in 3 of their last 4 away matches against the West Indies (T20Is)
Jos Buttler has 3 scores of fifty or more in his last 5 matches as England opener (T20Is)

Head to Head

There have been 24 T20Is between West Indies and England so far with ten wins for England and 14 wins for the Windies.

The last time these sides played was in a five-match series in Bridgetown back in January 2022. That series was won by the hosts 3-2, alternating wins and losses.

West Indies Form

The hosts will be in high spirits after winning the ODI series 2-1. It was a shot in the arm to their white-ball fortunes, but the home fans are still smarting from missing the last two World Cups – T20I and ODI.

Darren Sammy has changed a bit of fortune though, as they defeated India 3-2 in their last T20I series. There’s a conscious effort to recall some of the T20 veterans like Andre Russell while also keeping the non-contracted players in the squad.

The West Indies will be led by Rovman Powell with the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King and Andre Russell returning.

West Indies Team News

Sherfane Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie and Matthew Forde are likely to miss out for the Windies. It could be a toss-up between Roston Chase and Jason Holder for the last all-rounder slot.

England Form

England couldn’t quite bounce back from their ODI World Cup disappointment losing the ODI series 2-1. They will now set their eyes firmly on defending their T20I World Cup.

This series followed by Pakistan’s series at home next year are the only ones that England has before the World Cup. They are still without several regulars like Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Chris Wood and Jonny Bairstow.

That said, England does have several regulars from the T20 circuits all around the world. The wily spin duo of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid are the additions to the ODI squad, so there’s enough depth to trouble the hosts.

England Team News

Of the squad of 16. England could bench Matthew Potts, John Turner, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, and Chris Woakes.

West Indies vs England First T20I FAQs

Where can I watch the West Indies vs England First T20I live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the West Indies vs England First T20I live stream.

What time does West Indies vs England First T20I start?

This West Indies vs England First T20I will be played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on December 13, Wednesday starting at 3:30am IST.

Verdict

It was a morale-boosting win in the ODIs for the West Indies who have shown that they can master these conditions. Those three matches showed how much firepower is there in the home camp, which could once again be their ally in the T20Is. I’m backing the hosts on the sixes count while a small wager can be had on Jos Buttler leading the batting charts for England.