Experimental England are on the verge of ending two-year wait for T20 series win  ahead of third West Indies clash

An experimental England team find themselves in unusual territory on Thursday: victory over West Indies at a ground named after the opposition coach would wrap up the Twenty20 series with breathing room.

England have not won a bilateral T20 series containing more than two completed matches for more than two years, stretching back to the tour of Pakistan shortly before they became world champions for the second time – but arrived here in Gros Islet 2-0 up.

‘It would be nice to do it sooner rather than later, so we’ll be looking to do it here for sure. From all reports, it’s a good batting wicket so hopefully there’s a few runs for all our batters and then bowlers can bowl well and defend,’ said Jacob Bethell, whose maiden international half-century in the format was integral to England taking the lead in this five-match campaign.

One threat to England’s bid has come from the Caribbean weather, though, with a week of heavy rain taking its toll on the outfield at Daren Sammy Stadium. Although England were able to carry out net practice in the middle on Wednesday afternoon, huge expanses of the outfield resembled a marsh following the latest downpour and further showers were expected overnight.

Warwickshire’s Bethell, 21, has excelled in familiar conditions. Indeed, his every run in an unbeaten 58 off 36 balls last Saturday in his native Barbados was cheered by 150 of his family and friends in the stands.

Everyone run of his unbeaten 58 off 36 balls was cheered by 150 of his family and friends in the stands as well as the England supporters

England had net practice in the middle on Wednesday afternoon, huge expanses of the outfield resembled a marsh

‘For the stars to align and for me to play a pretty big part in that game was special. First of all to win, have all the family there, which has never happened before, live, at least – everyone usually watches on TV, but not live – then to actually play a key role in the game, it’s got to be pretty close to the top memory of my career,’ Bethell said.

‘Pretty much anyone I knew growing up was there. So, direct family, any friends of direct family, any kids of direct family and friends. It was really cool. Afterwards, I went over to just say hi to mum and dad, and what did it take me to get back to the changing room? An hour!’

It is not just his peroxide locks that make Bethell stand-out from the crowd in this new generation of international cricketers. His on-field feats have also turned heads.

Last summer, it was a 15-ball 50 in the Vitality Blast that caught the attention of the selectors, who, with their choice of the left-hander for the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand – first revealed by Mail Sport – have placed more value in talent yet to be unlocked than achievements to date. He is yet score a professional hundred and averages just 25 in first-class cricket.

Yet, as the spare batter on tour he is now a broken finger or overnight sickness bug away from a Test debut.

‘I’m not sure what kind of playing opportunities are going to be there. Just to be selected in the squad and be around the likes of Ben Stokes, Joe Root – watch Harry Brook go about his business more, I really enjoyed watching him in the summer – learning off them will be really good and if there is an opportunity to play at some point, I’ll be looking to take it with both hands,’ he said.

More immediately, West Indies provide the opposition for a sixth limited-overs match here. It is normal for teams two up in a lengthy series to consider rotating their personnel and one option England will have considered is to rest their record T20 wicket-taker Adil Rashid to accommodate younger leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed – another of those New Zealand-bound next week.

However, it feels that in the circumstances changes are more likely for the hosts, who made three alterations on Sunday. Further switches are imminent with Alzarri Joseph – his walk-off protest ban now over – returning to the squad alongside all-rounder Shamar Springer, who replaces the injured Andre Russell.