Liam Dawson shines on international return as England win first T20I against West Indies

    Jos Buttler struck a superb 96 while Liam Dawson took four wicket on his international return to help England beat West Indies by 21 runs in the first of three T20Is in Durham on Friday.

    Liam Dawson T20I celebration Liam Dawson T20I celebration

    Former captain Buttler belted his runs off just 59 deliveries to set up England's total of 188-6 before left-arm spinner Dawson, playing his first international in three years, took 4-20 to restrict the Windies to 167-9.

    The victory means skipper Harry Brook made a winning start to his T20I captaincy reign following a 3-0 success in the ODI series against the same opponents.

    Dawson admitted to being nervous before the match afrer being recalled for international duty since he last played in 2022.

    "I feel really good. Really pleased to contribute to a really good win," said Dawson after being declared player-of-the-match.

    "When you get 190 on the board, you can go out there and simplify everything. You can bowl defensively and they've got to come to you. Tonight, it worked.

    "It's been maybe three-and-a-half years since I played. I was nervous going into the game but I'm happy to contribute."

    England will look to wrap up the series in the shortest format with the second match of the series to be played in Bristol on Sunday.