Mon Nov 11 09:53:10 UTC 2024: ## England Clinch Second T20 Win Against West Indies as Buttler Returns to Form
**BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):** England captain Jos Buttler roared back to form with a blistering 83 off 45 balls, leading his team to a convincing seven-wicket victory against West Indies in the second Twenty20 international on Sunday. This win gives England a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Buttler, who was sidelined for months due to a calf injury, showcased his explosive batting abilities, hitting six sixes and eight fours. He anchored England’s chase of 159, guiding them to victory with 31 balls to spare.
The match started with a surprise as Phil Salt, who had scored an unbeaten century in the first T20, was dismissed on the first ball of England’s innings. However, Buttler, who was out for a duck in the previous match, quickly overcame the early setback.
He shared a crucial 129-run partnership with Will Jacks (38), who also played a significant role in England’s dominant performance. Buttler brought up his half-century in a rapid 32 balls, one of his sixes even flying out of Kensington Oval into the street!
“It’s great to spend some time in the middle,” Buttler said after the match. “I was a bit scratchy for the first few balls but managed to come through that. I really enjoyed it. It’s great to be back out there.”
The West Indies, on the other hand, struggled to build momentum. They lost three wickets in the powerplay for the second consecutive match, thanks to the excellent bowling of Saqib Mahmood and Jofra Archer.
Rovman Powell top-scored for the hosts with a 41-ball 43, but it wasn’t enough to challenge England’s strong batting lineup.
The third match of the series is scheduled for Thursday in Gros Islet, St. Lucia.
**Buttler’s Release from Rajasthan Royals Raises IPL Auction Interest:**
Meanwhile, news emerged that Jos Buttler has been released by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. This is likely to spark intense bidding wars for the in-form batsman, with teams vying to secure his services in the lucrative T20 league.
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