WI vs ENG Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Dec 12, 2023
The West Indies and England will contest the first match of their five-T20I series Bridgetown, Barbados. The home side won their preceding ODI series two-one.
There will be plenty to bet on before and during this match. Let's see what the cricket markets and betting odds have in store for this series opener.
West Indies vs England head-to-head record
The West Indies have three wins to England's two in their last five T20I meetings. They have all but taken it in turns to beat each other in that five-match stretch. Four of those victories were achieved by the team batting first.
West Indies vs England live streaming and broadcast
You can watch this match and the rest of the series on the FanCode app in India. It's a great way to watch live international cricket online.
WI vs ENG Team Previews
West Indies
The big news out of the West Indies camp is the recall of all-rounder Andre Russell. He has not played international cricket in two years and should add plenty of value with the bat and ball. The T20 World Cup will be played in the Caribbean and United States of America next year. Russell's recall now is probably with next year in mind.
Another all-rounder, Matthew Forde, has also been named in the squad for this five-T20I series. He has been capped once in ODI cricket, but not yet in T20Is. Forde was particularly impressive in the final ODI against England, taking three wickets to seal a series win for the home side.
Star duo Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran are back for the West Indies. Holder and Pooran have been playing for the Samp Army and Deccan Gladiators, respectively, in the Abu Dhabi T10 recently. That high-pressure experience should help them in this series against the English.
The Windies will be without quartet Johnson Charles, Obed McCoy, Odean Smith and Oshane Thomas for this series. This doesn't necessarily weaken their bowling, in paricular, but Forde and company are going to have to gel well in the four discards' absence.
West Indies Playing 11
Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph.
England
England would have wanted to move on from their disappointing campaign in the 2023 Cricket World Cup with an ODI series victory over the West Indies. That didn't happen. Now, they'll want to begin to fix their focus on next year's T20 World Cup with a confident display - and hopefully victory - in this five-T20I series.
Captain Jos Buttler and fellow opener Phil Salt are going to be key at the top of the order. Their individual and collective ability to capitalise on the opening powerplay could mean the difference between a good and a great total. The in-form Ben Duckett and hard-hitting Harry Brooks are also in the squad.
Tymal Mills also competed in the Abu Dhabi T10 recently. His characteristic slower balls were important in the United Arab Emirates and could be just as effective - if not more - in the Caribbean. Left-arm seamer Sam Curran will also probably have to take pace off the ball frequently.
Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue are around for outright pace. It will be interesting to see how they fare in Caribbean conditions. Both are effectively auditioning ahead of next year's T20 World Cup. Reece Topley injured himself during the Cricket World Cup earlier this year and has returned for this series.
England Playing 11
Jos Buttler, Philip Salt, Will Jacks, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Rehan Ahmed, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills.
WI vs ENG Toss Prediction
The venues for this match is the Kensington Oval. The last five T20Is at this ground have seen the team that batted first win the match four times.
It's probable the toss-winning captain will opt to bat first again. Overall, since the first T20I here in 2008, the team to bat second has only won the match on six occasions.
Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.
Pitch and Conditions
This is a relatively high-scoring ground. The last three first-innings totals here in T20I cricket have been 179, 193 and 224. A first-innings total of 180-plus, this time, should be competitive.
It's well worth playing two specialist spinners in Bridgetown - and perhaps open the bowling with one of them.
There is no rain forecast for the days leading into the match. There is no inclement weather forecast for matchday either. We should get a full fixture in here.
WI vs ENG Betting Tips
The West Indies should win this match. They have momentum after winning the ODI series. Their batting and bowling resources look more formidable than England's.
The West Indies are priced as 2.10 underdogs. England are offered as 1.73 favourites. Betting on the hosts could bring good value.
Bonus Cricket Bets
Buttler has collected over 2,700 T20I runs and knows how to hit big innings in foreign conditions. He could do especially well during the opening powerplay.
Forde welcomed three wickets against England on ODI debut. He will likely be named in the West Indies' XI for this series opener and can succeed against the same opposition again.
Russell is a world-class all-rounder. He has been playing in domestic leagues around the world for a long time. This will be his first T20I series in two years. He can make a big impact with bat and ball.
Who will win WI vs ENG
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Match Predictions
Cricket Betting Tips
- Highest opening partnership - India W (1.55) and 1 more BANW vs INDW betting tip
- Total runs in the highest scoring over of the match - Over 22.5 (1.95) and 2 more MI vs SRH betting tips
- Nazmul Hossain Shanto to become the top batter. - 4.10 and 3 more BAN vs ZIM betting tips
- Delhi Capitals to win the toss - 1.90 and 4 more DC vs RR betting tips
We are eager to know what you think of our match predictions, if there is anything we can do better or if you want to let us know your own predictions for the match.