BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — England’s Phil Salt delivered a blistering efficiency with the bat, smashing a fast 103 not out off simply 54 balls, to steer England to a commanding eight-wicket victory over the West Indies within the first T20 Worldwide on Saturday.
Salt’s highly effective century, laced with 9 boundaries and 6 sixes, anchored England’s record-breaking chase of 183, the best ever on the iconic Kensington Oval.
Salt’s unimaginable knock earned him the Participant of the Match honor, and he was ably supported by Barbadian native Jacob Bethell, who struck a formidable 58 off 36 balls in his T20I debut. Collectively, Salt and Bethell cruised to 183 for 2 in solely 16.5 overs, giving England a 1-0 lead within the five-match collection and delighting the packed crowd in Barbados.
The West Indies had earlier managed to get well from a precarious 69 for 5 to set a goal of 182 for 9, due to invaluable contributions from Nicholas Pooran (38), Andre Russell (30), Romario Shepherd (35 not out), and Gudakesh Motie, who hammered a quick-fire 33 from 14 balls. England’s Saqib Mahmood was instrumental with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 34 runs, whereas Adil Rashid claimed three for 32, serving to to comprise the hosts’ rating.
Salt’s innings started with a bang
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Salt’s innings started with a bang, as he smashed Shamar Joseph for a six and 4 consecutive boundaries within the fourth over, shortly racing to 40 off simply 17 balls. He reached his half-century with a pair of towering sixes off Gudakesh Motie within the sixth over. Regardless of dropping Will Jacks and Jos Buttler, Bethell joined Salt on the crease, and the 2 punished the West Indies bowling assault with a dominating 107-run partnership.
Salt introduced up his century by dispatching Shepherd for yet one more boundary within the seventeenth over, whereas Bethell rounded out his maiden T20I half-century shortly earlier than Salt’s milestone. Bethell then sealed England’s victory with a ultimate six off Shepherd, leaving the group thrilled by the show of energy and precision.
Reflecting on the match, Salt’s innings set a brand new customary for England’s T20 facet, whereas the West Indies will look to get well shortly as they put together for the second sport of the collection on the identical venue on Sunday.