West Indies vs England fifth T20: Tips and suggested bets

James Richardson
20 December 2023

It's the final T20 between the West Indies and England in their five-match series with it all to play for in the series decider at 2000 (GMT) on Thursday evening.

The West Indies have let England right off the hook in this series, even if the considerable wriggling of Phil Salt played a big part in the slipping out of a predicament and setting up this series decider.

England are now the side playing with greater confidence, led by the Salt assault with the bat and a team effort with the ball and in the field.

The West Indies just aren't getting the powerplay onslaughts of England under control, and that is knocking on into other areas of the game.

At Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad & Tobago, the West Indies have lost two of three T20s, with the most recent loss coming in the fourth match of the current series.

England made a winning start to T20 cricket at the venue and put up a new record score for the ground.

West Indies vs England fifth T20: Suggested bets

Salt has been out pick to top-scorer for England in every game in this series, and he has either done that or come close, so we certainly won't be going away from backing the form batter among the Three Lions to once again come out on top.

His incredible batting, assisted by Jos Buttler and Will Jacks, has seen England get off to flying starts, and that makes England firm favourites to outscore the West Indies in the powerplay.

The West Indies have moved Nicholas Pooran up to No 3, which might still prove to be an inspired decision.

The hosts need somebody up top who is in good form, with Brandon King and Kyle Mayers unable to string performances together with any regularity.

Akeal Hosein could still hold the keys to throwing England off their game up front, and if he can get among the wickets bowling in the powerplay, it might tip the scales in the home side's favour in the decider.

The whole unit will need to bounce back from a terrible pounding last time out.