The cricketing rivalry between England and West Indies is set to resume, this time in the shortest format of the game. After a dominant 3-0 win in the ODI series, England will be looking to continue their winning momentum as they face the Caribbean giants in a three-match T20I series. The first match is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 6 at 11 PM IST at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, and promises to be an entertaining contest between two dynamic white-ball teams.
Match Details
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Match: England vs West Indies, 1st T20I
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Date: June 6, 2025 (Friday)
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Time: 11:00 PM IST
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Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
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Live Streaming: Star Sports Network, Sony LIV, FanCode
Team Overviews
England
England enters the T20I series with a youthful yet exciting squad, led by the explosive Harry Brook, who has been handed the captaincy duties. Despite resting some of their regular stars, England still boasts depth and versatility across all departments. Players like Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett, and Will Jacks offer aggressive batting options, while Adil Rashid continues to be their go-to spinner. With several new faces like Jacob Bethel and Matthew Potts, the team is looking to test bench strength ahead of upcoming global events.
West Indies
The visitors, on the other hand, are bringing out their T20 specialists. With the return of heavyweights like Andre Russell, Jason Holder, and Rovman Powell, the West Indies are fielding a side full of experience and firepower. Skipper Shai Hope will look to anchor the innings, while power-hitters like Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sherfane Rutherford can change the game in a matter of overs. Their bowling unit looks well-rounded with pacers like Alzarri Joseph and spin options such as Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie.
Head-to-Head Record
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Total Matches: 35
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England Wins: 16
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West Indies Wins: 18
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No Result: 1
The head-to-head record slightly favors West Indies, who have historically performed well in T20Is against England. However, recent form and home advantage put England in a strong position.
Pitch & Weather Report
The Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street is known to assist bowlers early on with some movement due to overhead conditions. Historically, it’s not a flat deck, and any light rain could further help seamers. However, with short boundaries and a dry outfield, batters can still dominate once settled. A high-scoring encounter is likely if the rain stays away, though bowling-first might be the ideal choice due to weather unpredictability.
Probable Playing XIs
England
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Tom Banton (wk)
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Ben Duckett
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Jos Buttler (vc)
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Harry Brook (c)
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Will Jacks
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Jacob Bethel
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Brydon Carse
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Adil Rashid
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Matthew Potts
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Luke Wood
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Saqib Mahmood
West Indies
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Evin Lewis
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Shai Hope (c & wk)
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Sherfane Rutherford
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Rovman Powell
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Romario Shepherd
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Shimron Hetmyer
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Andre Russell
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Jason Holder
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Gudakesh Motie
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Akeal Hosein
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Alzarri Joseph
Key Players to Watch
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Jos Buttler: One of England’s most dangerous T20 batters. His ability to explode in the powerplay can give England a flying start.
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Andre Russell: The West Indies all-rounder brings six-hitting ability and experience with the ball, making him a valuable T20 asset.
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Harry Brook: As captain, he’ll be eager to lead by example and showcase his consistency in middle-overs.
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Jason Holder: Offers control with the new ball and can finish innings with the bat.
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Adil Rashid: Will play a vital role in the middle overs to control the run flow and take crucial wickets.
Probable Scenarios
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If England bat first, a score of 170-190 can be expected given their batting firepower.
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If rain shortens the game, West Indies’ power hitters may tilt the balance with their aggressive approach.
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The team that handles spin better is likely to dominate, especially in the middle overs.
Match Prediction
While West Indies have assembled a dangerous T20 side, consistency has always been their Achilles’ heel. On the other hand, England has shown better temperament and game awareness, especially in home conditions. The inclusion of Russell and Holder certainly gives West Indies the edge in experience, but England’s balanced squad and depth in batting may just give them the upper hand.
Prediction: England to win the 1st T20I in a closely fought contest.