Phil Salt’s sublime unbeaten knock of 87* off 47 balls guided defending champions England to a commanding eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the second match of the Super Eight stage at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on Thursday, June 20 (IST).
Salt’s blistering innings, which earned him the Player of the Match (POTM) accolade, featured an array of power-hitting that saw him amass seven fours and five sixes. His formidable strike rate of 185.10 left the West Indies bowlers scrambling for answers as England coasted to their target.
The hosts had set a challenging 181-run target, and early signs suggested that they might defend it when, in the third over of England’s innings, they had a golden opportunity to dismiss Salt. The England batsman edged a delivery to wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran, but Pooran failed to grasp the catch. This pivotal moment allowed Salt to continue, and he capitalized magnificently.
Following the reprieve, Salt’s gameplay shifted gears, and he constructed a crucial 67-run partnership with England’s skipper Jos Buttler before Buttler fell to Roston Chase. West Indies managed to dismiss Moeen Ali shortly after Buttler’s departure, briefly reigniting their hopes. However, Jonny Bairstow’s resilient performance soon extinguished any chance of a West Indies comeback. Bairstow and Salt forged a 97-run stand for the third wicket, putting the West Indies bowlers under relentless pressure and effectively shutting the doors on the co-hosts.
Salt’s domination reached its zenith in the 16th over, where he obliterated Romario Shepherd’s bowling, accumulating an astonishing 30 runs in that single over. This assault dramatically reduced the required run rate, leaving Bairstow to seal the match with a single on the third delivery of the 18th over, securing a comprehensive win for England.
Earlier in the day, West Indies were put into bat after losing the toss to Buttler, who decided to field first.
. The hosts’ innings began on a shaky note as they lost Brandon King early to a groin injury that forced him to retire hurt. This put additional pressure on West Indies, but Nicholas Pooran and Johnson Charles provided some stability, adding 54 runs for the second wicket.
The real impetus to the West Indies innings, however, came from their captain Rovman Powell. Powell unleashed a barrage of sixes, striking five massive ones during his rapid 17-ball 36, injecting much-needed momentum into the innings. His aggressive approach saw West Indies cruising during the middle overs. The innings received another boost towards the end, thanks to Sherfane Rutherford’s brisk 28* off 15 balls, which helped West Indies post a competitive total of 180.
Despite the early setbacks in the second innings, Salt’s stellar performance ensured that England were always in control of the chase. His aggressive batting, combined with the crucial partnerships first with Buttler and then with Bairstow, laid the foundation for an emphatic win. Bairstow’s contribution was equally significant, as his resilience provided the perfect foil to Salt’s aggression.
This victory bolsters England’s position in the Super Eight stage, showcasing their capability to chase down challenging totals with relative ease. Salt’s performance not only highlights his emerging prominence on the international stage but also reaffirms England’s depth and versatility in their batting lineup.
As the tournament progresses, England will look to continue their winning momentum, with eyes firmly set on retaining their title. Meanwhile, West Indies will need to regroup and address the shortcomings that cost them dearly in this match, particularly focusing on capitalizing on crucial moments and tightening their fielding efforts.
The Super Eight stage promises more thrilling encounters, and cricket aficionados worldwide will be keenly watching whether England can maintain their upward trajectory or if the other teams will counter the defending champions’ challenge in the race for the T20 World Cup glory.
