📅 Date: Friday, 6 June 2025
🕕 Time: 18:30 BST
📍 Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
📺 TV: Live on Sky Sports
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🔍 Overview
England and West Indies meet in the opening T20 of their series, with both teams bringing distinct strengths to the contest. England are buoyant after a dominant ODI series win, but their T20 form has been more modest. West Indies, meanwhile, bring a power-packed squad well-suited to this format and conditions.
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🇬🇧 England Team News
Fresh off a clean sweep in the ODIs.
Their T20 form is middling over the past year, with an even win-loss record.
Selection decisions revolve around:
Will Jacks’ role – middle order finisher or top-order aggressor?
Whether to opt for three seamers or strengthen the spin attack with Liam Dawson or Rehan Ahmed.
Probable XI:
Salt, Duckett, Buttler (c), Brook, Jacks, Bethell, Overton, Rashid, Wood, Potts, Mahmood
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🇻🇮 West Indies Team News
Nic Pooran is rested, but the team still boasts formidable names.
The return of Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, and Romario Shepherd adds firepower and balance.
The No. 3 spot is up for grabs in Pooran’s absence, with Johnson Charles or Evin Lewis likely to fill in.
Probable XI:
King, Hope, Charles/Lewis, Rutherford, Powell, Russell, Shepherd, Motie, Hosein, Forde, Joseph
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🌧️ Pitch & Weather Report
Forecast indicates potential rain, though it’s expected to ease by match start.
Conditions may favour bowlers, with overhead moisture and a history of modest first-innings scores under lights.
Only 5 of the last 15 night matches at this venue have seen teams post over 165 runs batting first.
Average first-innings scoring rate: 8.33 runs per over
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🔬 Key Factors to Watch
Toss Impact: Conditions could make chasing slightly easier if the pitch offers early movement.
England’s Strategy: Will they continue with the aggressive intent seen in the ODIs, or play it more cautiously in trickier T20 conditions?
West Indies Firepower: They lead in sixes per match and have a more economical bowling unit over the past year.
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🌟 Players to Watch
Jos Buttler (ENG): Leading run-scorer with consistent performances; dangerous if he gets going early.
Will Jacks (ENG): Versatile, in form, and capable of playing multiple roles based on team needs.
Andre Russell (WI): Returns to the squad with a wealth of experience and all-round ability.
Romario Shepherd (WI): In excellent form, especially after a strong IPL campaign.
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📊 What to Expect
This could be a closely fought match, especially with both teams well-matched statistically in T20s over the past 12 months. While England have home advantage and recent ODI success, West Indies arguably have the edge in T20-specific skillsets — particularly in power-hitting and death-over control. The weather and pitch could add another layer of unpredictability.
