WI vs ENG, 1st T20I | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

West Indies players celebrating an ENG wicket in the third ODI (AP)

West Indies and England are poised to face off in the first T20I of their five-match series on December 12 (December 13 as per IST) at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. The fixtures mark an important chapter in their cricketing schedule, as they serve a testing ground for both sides in their path towards next year’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean and the United States.

WI vs ENG 1st T20I: Team Previews

West Indies

West Indies recently walloped England 2-1 in the ODI series earlier this week, and defeated India 3-2 in their previous T20I assignment a few months ago at home. Nicholas Pooran bludgeoned 176 runs in the fixtures against India and was adjudged as ‘Player of the Series’ for his performance.

West Indies will once again rely on Pooran to deliver, if they are to stand a chance of securing a series win over prominent white-ball rivals England. Romario Shepherd will start out as another crucial member in the side, considering the Guyanese speedster recently troubled the visiting Englishmen in the ODIs.

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England

England’s dwindling white-ball fortunes took another hit last week as they registered a rare ODI series defeat against West Indies. Last month, the defending champions also squandered away their title by finishing at number seven on the 10-team World Cup 2023 points table.

Back in September, they failed to defeat New Zealand in a four-match T20I series at home, and also lost 3-0 to Bangladesh in an away series in March this year. In lieu of the 2024 World Cup, Jos Buttler’s troops need to regain their lost rhythm and the series against West Indies serve a perfect platform in their path towards potential recovery.

WI vs ENG 1st T20I: Match Details & Live Streaming

WI vs ENG 1st T20I: Bridgetown Pitch Report

Bowlers generally receive much assistance with the new-ball upfront, before the Kensington Oval surface flattens up a bit for batters’ convenience later in the game. The average first-innings total at the venue ranges around 155. The captain winning the toss will likely opt to bat first, considering the teams batting first have emerged victorious 16 times out of 22 completed fixtures here.

WI vs ENG 2023 1st T20I: Probable Playing 11

West Indies: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Rovman Powell (c), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie.

England: Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jos Buttler (c and wk), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills and Rehan Ahmed.

WI vs ENG 2023 1st T20I: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

WI vs ENG 1st T20I: Winner Prediction

Host West Indies will be considered as favourites to trounce England and take an early lead in their five-match T20I series at Barbados.

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