England go 1-0 up after Salt blitz

England Stun West Indies in Thrilling T20I Opener

Phil Salt's explosive 103-run knock propelled England to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first T20I at Kensington Oval, Barbados. The victory handed England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Salt Runs Riot

Salt played a stellar knock of 103* off 54 deliveries, crushing the opposition's hopes with his third T20I ton. The left-handed batter showcased his affinity for West Indies, with all three of his hundreds coming against the Caribbean side.

Chasing a Competitive Total

Chasing a target of 183, Salt and Jacob Bethell (58* off 36) formed an unbreakable partnership. The duo's 107-run stand took the game away from West Indies, securing the highest successful chase at the Kensington Oval.

PowerPlay Dominance

The momentum was set in the PowerPlay as England scored 73 runs. Will Jacks played a key role before falling off the final ball of the sixth over. His dismissal was soon followed by Jos Buttler's golden duck, but Bethell's crucial knock saw West Indies' hopes dwindle.

West Indies' Struggles

West Indies' innings was marked by trouble at 18/3 after being put into bat. Saqib Mahmood led the English attack, taking 4 wickets for 34 runs. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 182, 20-25 runs short of a competitive total.

Power Cameos

Nicholas Pooran scored 38 off 29 deliveries, while Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, and Gudakesh Motie chipped in with crucial cameos. However, it was Salt's sensational knock that ultimately secured the victory for England.

Match Details

• West Indies 182/9 (Nicholas Pooran 38, Romario Shepherd 35*; Saqib Mahmood 4-34, Adil Rashid 3-32)
• England 183/2 (Phil Salt 103*, Jacob Bethell 58*; Gudakesh Motie 1-45)
• Result: England won by eight wickets