West Indies vs England Prediction: Topley to lead the line in Barbados

It continues to go from bad to worse for the white-ball England squad, following their calamitous World Cup defence, with a ODI series defeat against the West Indies.

Can they now salvage some pride in the shorter format of the game, with a five match T20 series against the same opponents, starting with a Tuesday game in Barbados (22:00)? Adam Roberts analyses their chances and suggests two betting predictions.

This is an important series for both teams, as this is the last home series for the West Indies, before the upcoming T20I World Cup, which takes place in the US and West Indies in June 2024.

For England, who will again be defending their title, it is a crucial series to draw a line in the sand under recent poor results and to start rebuilding ahead of a massive 2024 campaign.

This could be Jos Buttler's last hurrah as both player and captain unless his form, and in particular, the results improve and the current T20 champions start to get back in the winning habit again.

Team news

The West Indies have a shock inclusion for this five-match series in the form of veteran all-rounder Andre Russell, who hasn't played for the national team for nigh on two years. Also included are Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran and Kyle Mayer, who all missed out on the 50-over series.

Young Matthew Forde starred on debut in the deciding ODI game, which has been enough to see his inclusion in the 15-man Windies squad. Elsewhere, Rovman Powell takes over the skippering duties from Shai Hope, who deputises here.

West Indies (from): Rovman Powell (c), Shai Hope (vc), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.

For England, Jos Buttler remains as captain (for now), but there are a few key changes from the ODI squad, with Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley and Chris Woakes all recalled.

England (from): Jos Buttler (c), Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Reece Topley, John Turner, Chris Woakes.

Match odds

Despite a terrible run of form, with the tourists winning just four of their last 11 white ball matches and five of their last seven T20 internationals, England come into this one remarkably as the 8/11 favourites. The West Indies are 11/10 to pick up another win on home soil.

West Indies to hit most sixes - EVS

The West Indies won this bet in two of the recent ODI's and they should be more dominant still in this format.

In come 'Dre Russ' and Rovman Powell, who are notorious maximum-hitters, in particular the captain, who smashed 10 sixes in a T20 century against England back in 2022.

Reece Topley England top wicket taker - 16/5

It was a huge blow to England's World Cup hopes, when Reece Topley, who looked far and away their best pace bowling option, broke his finger, just four games into the tournament. Now, the big left-armer is fully healed and raring to go again, on the bouncy tracks of Barbados.

The 29-year-old has improved his bowling year-on-year for England and now has plenty of variety to his game, on top of the usual swing and bounce he was always renowned for.

In a 20-over format and with the West Indies teeing off from ball one, I expect him to get plenty of wicket-taking chances.

You can read all our latest Cricket Betting Tips at Betfred Insights.