Introduction: ENG vs WI 3rd T20I Preview
England and West Indies have built a reputation for delivering thrilling T20 contests, and this series has been no different—though England has been in complete control so far. As we move into the third game of this five-match T20I series, the visiting side holds a 2-0 lead and is one win away from sealing the series.
For the West Indies, this game is more than just another match—it’s a chance to bounce back, restore pride, and give fans something to cheer for on home turf. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the third T20I, including pitch details, weather, key players, fantasy tips, and match prediction.
Table of Contents
Match Details – 3rd T20I
- Match: England vs West Indies
- Date: Friday, 15 November 2024
- Time: 1:30 AM IST
- Venue: Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St. Lucia
- Series Score: England leads 2-0
Pitch and Weather at St. Lucia
Pitch Overview
St. Lucia generally serves up a good batting wicket in the first innings. There’s bounce and pace early on, allowing batters to play their strokes freely. However, the surface tends to slow down as the match progresses, bringing spinners into play and making run-scoring harder in the latter half.
- Ideal Toss Decision: Bat first
- Average First Innings Score: Around 160–170
Weather Forecast
Cricket fans can breathe easy. The forecast shows warm, dry conditions with temperatures close to 32°C. No rain is expected, so a full, uninterrupted match is on the cards.
Head-to-Head – England vs West Indies in T20Is
| Matches | WI Wins | ENG Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | 17 | 15 |
While West Indies have won more overall encounters, England clearly has the upper hand in the current series with two convincing wins.
Match Outlook – Who Has the Edge?
England have looked like a complete unit in the first two games. Their batting has been sharp, led by Philip Salt, and their bowlers—especially Saqib Mahmood and Adil Rashid—have kept the Caribbean batters in check.
On the other hand, West Indies have shown flashes of brilliance but haven’t been able to string together a full performance. This game is a chance for them to fight back and keep the series alive.
Prediction:
- Favourites: England
- Challengers: West Indies – home conditions and pride could lift them
Probable Playing XIs – ENG vs WI 3rd T20I
England
- Philip Salt (wk)
- Will Jacks
- Jos Buttler (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jacob Bethell
- Sam Curran
- Dan Mousley
- Jamie Overton
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
- Saqib Mahmood
West Indies
- Brandon King
- Evin Lewis
- Nicholas Pooran (wk)
- Roston Chase
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Rovman Powell (c)
- Romario Shepherd
- Akeal Hosein
- Gudakesh Motie
- Matthew Forde
- Terrance Hinds
Key Players to Keep an Eye On
West Indies
- Brandon King: Needs to fire at the top for WI to set a strong foundation
- Nicholas Pooran: Should be promoted up the order to anchor the innings
- Gudakesh Motie: His spin could be vital if the pitch slows down
England
- Philip Salt: In great touch and providing explosive starts
- Jos Buttler: Dangerous against both pace and spin
- Jofra Archer: Could play a crucial role in the death overs
Stats Snapshot – First 2 Matches
Top Fantasy Points Earners
| Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Philip Salt | England | 180 |
| Saqib Mahmood | England | 176 |
| Romario Shepherd | West Indies | 155 |
| Jos Buttler | England | 139 |
| Adil Rashid | England | 132 |
Top Run Scorers
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Philip Salt | England | 103 |
| Jos Buttler | England | 83 |
| Jacob Bethell | England | 61 |
| Rovman Powell | West Indies | 61 |
| Romario Shepherd | West Indies | 57 |
Leading Wicket-Takers
| Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Saqib Mahmood | England | 6 |
| Adil Rashid | England | 4 |
| Liam Livingstone | England | 3 |
| Romario Shepherd | West Indies | 3 |
Fantasy Team Tips – ENG vs WI
Captain Picks:
- Philip Salt
- Saqib Mahmood
Vice-Captain Options:
- Jos Buttler
- Romario Shepherd
Sleeper Picks:
- Gudakesh Motie – could do well if the pitch grips
- Dan Mousley – under the radar but effective
Players to Avoid:
- Sam Curran – hasn’t taken a wicket yet in this series
Suggested Fantasy XI:
WK: Philip Salt (C), Nicholas Pooran
BAT: Jos Buttler (VC), Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Rovman Powell
AR: Romario Shepherd, Liam Livingstone
BOWL: Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Gudakesh Motie
What the West Indies Need to Do Better
- Reorganize the Batting Order: Pooran should come in earlier to stabilize the innings
- Better Strike Rotation: Too many dot balls are building pressure
- Tighten Death Overs: Bowling at the end of the innings has leaked runs
- Clean Up the Fielding: Dropped catches and misfields are hurting their chances
Final Thoughts – All Eyes on St. Lucia
For England, this is a golden chance to wrap up the series early and maybe test their bench in the remaining games. For the West Indies, it’s about pride, belief, and the opportunity to reignite the series.
The setting couldn’t be better—under the lights in St. Lucia, in front of their home crowd, with the pressure on. It’s now or never for the Windies. Can they bounce back? Or will England continue their dominance?
