2 weeks ago
6
First T20, Barbados
West Indies 182-9 (20 overs): Pooran 38 (29), Shepherd 35* (22); Mahmood 4-34
England 183-2 (16.5 overs): Salt 103* (54), Bethell 58* (36)
England won by 8 wickets
Phil Salt powered a superb period to instrumentality England to a commanding eight-wicket triumph implicit West Indies successful the archetypal T20 successful Barbados.
After a disappointing decision successful the one-day planetary series, Salt struck an unbeaten 103 disconnected 54 balls connected the land helium utilized to telephone location arsenic England cruised to a pursuit of 183.
It was the opener's 3rd T20 100 for England - each 3 of which person travel against West Indies successful the past 12 months.
He crashed his archetypal 50 runs successful conscionable 25 balls arsenic England took 73 from the archetypal six overs for the nonaccomplishment of lone Will Jacks for 17.
Captain Jos Buttler was sensationally caught for a aureate duck connected his instrumentality to the broadside aft 4 months retired injured but Salt continued, dropping down the gears with the required run-rate nether control, arsenic England pulled disconnected the highest T20 pursuit astatine the Kensington Oval with 19 balls to spare.
Jacob Bethell, different with Bajan roots, finished unbeaten connected 58 from 36 balls alongside Salt, successful the process becoming the youngest antheral to deed a T20 50 for England, aged 21.
Earlier, West Indies made their imposing full successful singular fashion, reaching 183-9 contempt falling to 18-3 and 117-8.
They managed a further 65 runs successful the past 5.2 overs aft the eighth wicket fell, with fig 10 Gukadesh Motie, who aboriginal produced the stunning drawback to disregard Buttler, flogging 33 from 14 balls.
That came arsenic England mislaid their grip contempt a beardown commencement to the innings, with Saqib Mahmood taking 4-34 and Adil Rashid 3-32.
The 2nd of 5 T20s begins connected Sunday astatine the aforesaid crushed from 20:00 GMT.
England volition hold connected the fittingness of Reece Topley, who near the tract visibly affectional aft jarring his genu midway done his 3rd implicit - the latest stroke to a bowler who has had a cruel tally of injuries passim his career.
England struggled for overmuch of the ODI series, astatine times making it a mediocre spectacle.
This was entertaining from the outset - the aforesaid inexperienced England squad looking acold much comfy successful the shorter format.
Salt’s sound was the highlight. There was besides Motie’s drawback and a sensational one-handed drawback astatine gaffe by Buttler, who gave up the gloves arsenic helium yet took the tract successful England’s white-ball rebuild.
Salt, who spent six years of his younker surviving successful Barbados, ignited England’s pursuit by hitting a six and 4 fours successful the 4th over, bowled by Shamar Joseph, which outgo 24.
He impressively mixed belligerent strokes with classy drives and deft touches. When helium reached 3 figures helium roared and charged towards the dressing country successful celebration.
As pleasing for England was the show of Bethell, who did not panic erstwhile taking lone 5 runs from his archetypal 8 balls.
He was calved successful Barbados, lone moved to England arsenic a 14-year-old and had a ample radical of household and friends supporting him successful the stands. By the extremity the left-hander, who could marque a Test debut successful New Zealand aboriginal this month, was elegantly driving seamer Romario Shepherd implicit other screen for six.
Buttler near the tract smiling truthful bully was Motie's drawback astatine 3rd antheral to disregard him. On his return, determination was plentifulness much for the England skipper to cheer.
English (US)