It was one of those evenings where everything just clicked.
Under the lights at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, England delivered a fireworks show of batting brilliance that left the West Indies chasing shadows and the crowd on their feet.
Led by new captain Harry Brook, England equalled the highest ever Twenty20 international score on home soil — a staggering 248 for 3.
Duckett and Smith Steal the Show
Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith set the tone early and made it clear this wasn’t going to be just any match.
Their opening partnership was a masterclass in controlled aggression, smashing 120 runs in under nine overs.
Duckett raced to England’s fourth-fastest T20 fifty and continued the assault even after getting a life when Shimron Hetmyer spilled a tough chance.
It wasn’t the only painful moment for the Windies fielders — Alzarri Joseph had to leave the field after taking a blow to the hand trying to stop one of Duckett’s rockets.
But mostly, they were left watching the ball soar over their heads as England kept clearing the boundary.
A Nod to the Past, A Glimpse of the Future
That total of 248 for 3? It matches what Australia racked up against England on this very ground 12 years ago.
But while that game was one to forget for England, this was all about making a statement.
After a rocky run earlier in the year that saw Jos Buttler’s side lose 10 of 11 white-ball games, Brook’s leadership has completely turned things around.
England have now won all six games under his captaincy.
No Holding Back, Even Against a Weakened Windies
Yes, this West Indies squad wasn’t at full strength — Andre Russell was sidelined with injury and Nicholas Pooran had just announced his international retirement.
But England didn’t ease off.
They stuck with their best XI and showed no mercy, smashing 15 sixes in total and making full use of the big outfield.
Phil Salt, who scored a century the last time England faced the Windies in Trinidad, was absent on paternity leave.
But Jamie Smith stepped into the spotlight, hammering a blistering 60 off just 26 balls — his first T20 half-century for England.
His standout moment? Three towering sixes in one over, including one jaw-dropping shot over extra cover off Romario Shepherd.
Boundary Bashing, Creative Shots, and Late-Game Flair
It wasn’t just raw power on display. England’s shot selection was inventive, with Buttler contributing an outrageous inside-out flick for four and a 100-metre monster six that had fans gasping.
Even spin wasn’t spared for long — Jacob Bethell took Gudakesh Motie apart near the end, hitting three sixes in a row to keep the tempo high.
And when it was time to bowl, England kept things smart.
Slower balls and tight spin helped contain the Windies, with Adil Rashid bouncing back from a tough game in Bristol to take two for 30.