ENG England
WI West Indies
ICC T20 World Cup 2026
England vs West Indies Match Prediction
Last updated: 9 February 2026
Prediction Summary — England vs West Indies
Two of T20 cricket's most storied rivals meet at one of the game's most iconic venues — and this time, both arrive in very different guises. England are the ICC's top-ranked T20I side under new captain Harry Brook, riding a four-match winning streak and armed with arguably the most destructive opening partnership in world cricket. West Indies, the two-time T20 World Cup champions, are rebuilding without Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine, entrusting the captaincy to Shai Hope as they search for a new identity. Both won their Group C openers, making this a de facto battle for group supremacy at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Team A Preview — England
England's form heading into this tournament has been emphatic. A 3-0 sweep of Sri Lanka in January was followed by a four-run victory over Nepal in their World Cup opener on February 8 — a result that looked comfortable despite the narrow margin. Harry Brook's appointment as captain signals a generational shift, with Jos Buttler stepping back from the leadership role but remaining as potent as ever in the batting order.
The opening partnership of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler is devastating. Salt's 1,588 runs in 53 T20Is at a strike rate of 166.28 make him one of the most dangerous power-hitters in world cricket, while Buttler's 3,976 runs across 148 T20Is at an average of 35.18 bring the experience of an all-time great. Captain Harry Brook has rapidly established himself in the middle order with 1,121 runs in 56 T20Is at a strike rate of 153.14, providing the platform for late acceleration.
England's bowling is equally well-rounded. Jofra Archer brings genuine pace and death-overs expertise, Adil Rashid remains one of the world's premier T20 leg-spinners, and Sam Curran offers left-arm variation. Jacob Bethell adds all-rounder balance with 472 runs and 8 wickets across 24 T20Is — his ability to contribute in both departments makes him a crucial component of England's balanced lineup.
Team B Preview — West Indies
West Indies opened their campaign with a 35-run victory over Scotland on February 7, a convincing performance that showcased the explosive batting power that has always defined Caribbean cricket. But this squad looks markedly different from the sides that won back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2012 and 2016. Nicholas Pooran retired from international cricket in June 2025, taking with him 2,275 T20I runs and the team's most consistent match-winning bat. Sunil Narine also ruled out a return, depriving the Windies of their most cunning spin option.
Captain Shai Hope — more traditionally associated with ODI cricket — is leading a new era. Rovman Powell provides the biggest hitting threat in the middle order, with raw power that can change a match in two overs. Shimron Hetmyer offers left-handed flair, Brandon King anchors the top order, and Johnson Charles brings aggressive intent. The bowling attack features Shamar Joseph, whose express pace can trouble any batting lineup, alongside the spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie — both world-class left-arm options. Jason Holder contributes experience and all-round capability.
Key Players to Watch
Phil Salt vs Shamar Joseph: The most explosive matchup of the tournament so far. Salt's strike rate of 166.28 is the highest among active T20I batters with 1,000+ runs, while Joseph bowls in excess of 145 km/h. If Joseph can restrict Salt in the powerplay, West Indies control the tempo. If Salt gets going, the game could be over in six overs.
Adil Rashid vs Shimron Hetmyer: Rashid's mastery of the googly and wrong'un will be tested by Hetmyer's fearless approach to spin. This matchup in the middle overs could determine whether West Indies can build a platform or lose their way.
Rovman Powell vs Jofra Archer: Powell's ability to clear any ground in the world meets Archer's death-overs precision. If this match goes deep, this duel at the death could decide the winner.
Jos Buttler vs Akeal Hosein: Buttler's former-captain composure against Hosein's miserly left-arm orthodox. Buttler has been striking at 172.9 in overs five and six of T20Is — if Hosein bowls during the powerplay, expect fireworks.
🤝 Head-to-Head Record
England and West Indies have one of the richest rivalries in T20I cricket, having met 38 times — more than almost any other T20I pairing. The record is remarkably tight: England lead 19-18 with one no result. However, the recent trend favours England heavily. They swept West Indies 3-0 in June 2025, winning by 37 runs, 4 wickets, and 21 runs across England. The last time West Indies beat England in a T20I was in November 2024 in St Lucia. At ICC events, these two have produced classics — including West Indies' famous Carlos Brathwaite finish in the 2016 final — but England's superior depth and consistency have given them the edge in recent years.
🏟️ Venue, Conditions & Toss
Eden Gardens, Kolkata — Capacity: 68,000. One of cricket's most atmospheric grounds, Eden Gardens has hosted 113 T20 matches with an average first innings score of 167. This is a high-scoring venue that rewards aggressive batting.
- Pitch: Expect a good batting surface that offers something for both pace and spin. The ball comes onto the bat well early, with some turn available as the surface deteriorates.
- Weather: Hazy conditions, 26°C with low humidity (32%). No rain expected — dew could become a factor under lights in the second innings.
- Toss: Teams have overwhelmingly preferred to bowl first at Eden Gardens — 67% of captains elect to chase. With a 58% chase success rate and the dew factor, winning the toss and fielding first is the clear preference.
Match Analysis
England's advantage lies in their extraordinary batting depth. Salt and Buttler form the most destructive opening partnership in T20I cricket, and the lineup doesn't relent through Brook, Bethell, Duckett, and the lower-order hitting of Curran. West Indies' bowling, while talented, has lost Narine's suffocating spin control — and without him, containing England's batting becomes significantly harder. Hosein and Motie are quality operators, but Rashid provides England with their own spin weapon.
West Indies' path to victory runs through their power-hitters. If Powell, Hetmyer, and Charles can take the game deep and unleash in the death overs, they have the firepower to chase any total. But England's bowling variety — Archer's pace, Rashid's leg-spin, Curran's left-arm, and Bethell's part-time offbreak — creates matchup problems that West Indies' less experienced middle order may struggle to solve.
The tournament context adds intrigue. Both teams won their openers, so the loser here isn't eliminated but faces a tougher path to the Super Eight. England's clinical dismantling of Nepal — winning despite a spirited chase — suggests they're operating at a high level, while West Indies' emphatic 35-run win over Scotland showed their batting can be devastating when it fires. Earlier on the same day, Australia face Ireland in Group B — another clash between a heavyweight and an emerging side. The question is whether the Windies can sustain their opening-match intensity against a side as complete as England.
Our Verdict
Our model gives England a 70.2% probability of winning, reflecting their superior batting depth, bowling variety, and recent dominance in this rivalry (3-0 sweep in June 2025). West Indies have the individual talent to cause an upset — Powell's power and Joseph's pace are genuine match-winning weapons — but England's all-round consistency and tournament experience under pressure make them clear favourites. This should be a high-scoring, entertaining contest at Eden Gardens, with England's batting firepower likely to prove the difference. For more predictions, see our T20 World Cup 2026 tips hub.
📊 Odds Analysis
| Team | Our Model | Market Implied | Best Odds | Fair Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 70.2% | 71.6% | 1.45 | 1.42 |
| West Indies | 29.8% | 36.2% | 3.15 | 3.36 |
Thin value on England at TAB only. Most bookmakers have England at 1.39-1.40, offering no edge against our fair odds of 1.42. But TAB's 1.45 provides a slim 2.1% edge. West Indies at 3.15 (DraftKings) sit below our fair odds of 3.36 — no value there. Contrarian backers should wait for West Indies odds to drift above 3.36 before considering a play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will win England vs West Indies at the T20 World Cup 2026?
Our analysis gives England a 70.2% probability of winning. Their superior batting depth led by Salt and Buttler, combined with a bowling attack featuring Archer and Rashid, makes them clear favourites over a West Indies side rebuilding without Pooran and Narine.
What time does England vs West Indies start?
The match starts at 13:30 UTC on February 11, 2026 (7:00 PM India time) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Who is captaining England and West Indies?
Harry Brook captains England, taking over from Jos Buttler who remains in the squad as a player. Shai Hope leads West Indies, stepping into the role after Nicholas Pooran's retirement from international cricket in June 2025.
What is the England vs West Indies T20I head-to-head record?
They have met 38 times in T20Is, with England leading 19-18. England swept the most recent series 3-0 in June 2025. It is one of the most evenly contested rivalries in T20I history.
Why are Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine not playing for West Indies?
Nicholas Pooran retired from international cricket in June 2025, while Sunil Narine ruled out a return to international duty. Their absence represents a significant loss of experience and match-winning ability for the Windies.
