West Indies vs England: West Indies rebuild after early wickets in T20 World Cup

West Indies vs England delivered an early jolt in Mumbai on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, as England’s pace hit hard in the powerplay before West Indies steadied through the middle overs. England won the toss and chose to field, banking on chasing conditions at Wankhede Stadium.

As of 10:10 a.m. ET, West Indies were 127 for 4 after 14 overs, with Sherfane Rutherford providing the main momentum and England’s spinners keeping a lid on the scoring in patches.

England’s toss call and early pressure

England’s decision to bowl first leaned into a familiar Wankhede script: back the chasing side, trust the dew, and try to squeeze with pace up front. The plan worked immediately. West Indies lost two early wickets inside the first few overs, forcing a reset and shifting the innings from all-out attack to controlled rebuilding.

England’s quicks attacked the stumps and used changes of pace, while the deep field was set early to cut off the easy boundary options that West Indies often rely on to launch.

West Indies recover through the middle

After the early losses, West Indies rebuilt with Roston Chase and Shimron Hetmyer stabilizing the innings and rotating strike, then Rutherford pushing the tempo back upward. The recovery phase mattered because it kept the innings on track for a competitive total rather than a scramble.

Rutherford’s scoring has been the clearest positive for West Indies: he has found boundary options even when England’s bowlers hit good lengths, and he has targeted the shorter side at Wankhede to keep the required acceleration manageable for the final six overs.

The bowling battle: spin grips, pace varies

England’s spin has been central to the middle-overs plan. Adil Rashid’s control and wicket-taking threat have forced West Indies to take risks, and that pressure has produced breakthroughs at key moments. England also mixed in cutters and hard lengths from the seamers to prevent a free run of boundaries.

For West Indies, the priority now is simple: minimize dot balls and keep at least one set batter deep into the last four overs. With a platform around the 9-runs-per-over mark at the 14-over point, a strong finish can still push them to a total that tests England’s chase.

Where the innings stands now

The final six overs will likely decide whether this becomes a 165-type score that invites a chase, or a 185-plus score that puts England under real pressure. West Indies will look for at least one big over against a non-spinner and then target the death overs with clean hitting.

England’s fielding has already influenced the innings, turning potential catches into sustained pressure. If England can steal one more wicket before the 16th over, West Indies’ finishing power becomes riskier and more all-or-nothing.

Score snapshot (as of 10:10 a.m. ET, approx.)

What it means for Group C

Both teams entered this matchup with expectations of progressing, and Group C margins can turn on net run rate. That makes the final total, and how quickly England can chase if the target is moderate, potentially as important as the win itself.

For West Indies, a defendable total usually starts with getting beyond 170 at this ground. For England, keeping West Indies under that range increases the value of their deep batting and gives them flexibility to chase without taking reckless risks.

What to watch in the chase

If West Indies finish strongly, England’s powerplay becomes crucial: an aggressive start can neutralize a big total, but early wickets can pull England into the kind of squeeze West Indies faced. The matchup inside the matchup is England’s top order versus West Indies’ new-ball pace, with the middle overs likely shaped by West Indies’ spin options.

Either way, the next phase should move fast: Wankhede chases rarely allow a slow burn, and both sides have lineups built to turn a five-minute window into a match-defining swing.

Sources consulted: ICC; ESPNcricinfo; Cricbuzz; The Guardian