Phil Salt’s explosive innings of 119 runs off 57 balls
Phil Salt‘s explosive innings of 119 runs off 57 balls on Saturday proved pivotal in England’s series, propelling them to a total of 267-3, the second-highest T20 international score by a full ICC member nation.
Despite a rapid start by the West Indies in their chase, England’s steady wicket-taking led to the hosts being all out for 192 in the 16th over, securing victory for the visitors. The series, where England bounced back from a 2-0 deficit to level at 2-2, will see its final showdown at the same venue on Thursday.
Phil Salt partnered brilliantly with England captain Jos Buttler (55) in a formidable 117-run opening stand, setting the tone for England’s rapid start. Later, Liam Livingstone’s unbeaten 54 ensured a strong finish to the innings. In their pursuit of a record T20I chase, the West Indies began strongly, racing past 100 within seven overs thanks to contributions from Nicholas Pooran (39) and Sherfane Rutherford (35).
However, England’s Adil Rashid (1-35) and Reece Topley (3-37) stifled their momentum, ultimately derailing the chase. Andre Russell’s valiant 51 wasn’t enough as the West Indies paid the price for an overly aggressive batting approach.
Phil Salt, continuing his outstanding form from the previous match where he scored an unbeaten 109, commenced aggressively against debutant fast bowler Matthew Forde, setting the tone early with a six and a four in the opening over. Buttler, after a slightly slower start, found his rhythm, eventually contributing with a well-timed reverse sweep for six.
The pair’s entertaining partnership saw Phil Salt reaching his half-century in 23 balls and Buttler achieving the same feat in 26 deliveries. Despite Buttler’s dismissal, England remained dominant at 117-1 within 10 overs. Phil Salt continued his assault, dispatching three consecutive sixes in an over, showcasing England’s relentless batting display.
While Phil Salt seemed on track to surpass Livingstone’s England record for the fastest T20I century, he slightly slowed down before reaching the milestone from 48 deliveries. His final score of 119 became the highest by an England men’s batter in a T20 international, marking his consecutive centuries in T20Is for a full-member nation.
Despite the West Indies’ promising start in their chase, early wickets dampened their progress. Moeen Ali’s dismissal of Brandon King from the first ball was followed by brief fireworks from Pooran but couldn’t sustain the momentum. Regular wickets from England’s bowlers, notably Rashid and Topley, restricted the hosts, eventually leading to their downfall at 192 all out.
Curran’s brilliant diving catch dismissed Pooran, Woakes accounted for Shai Hope, and Rashid and Rehan Ahmed’s spin dismantled the West Indies’ batting lineup, effectively sealing England’s victory. Topley concluded proceedings by removing Forde and Russell, securing a comprehensive win for England.
As England wrapped up the match comprehensively, they showcased their prowess with both bat and ball, displaying dominance in various facets of the game. The West Indies, despite their early aggressive intent in the chase, faltered against England’s disciplined bowling attack.
With early strikes disrupting the West Indies’ rhythm, the middle-order collapse compounded their challenges. Rashid’s controlled bowling and Ahmed’s quick strikes further destabilized their innings. Despite a valiant effort from Russell, the West Indies struggled to counter England’s persistent approach.
Curran’s crucial wickets and vital catches, along with Woakes’ key contribution, ensured England maintained the upper hand. The strategic introduction of Rashid in the crucial phase of the match turned the tide decisively in England’s favor.
Ultimately, England’s collective effort, both in setting a formidable total and in consistently picking up wickets, proved too much for the West Indies. Topley’s decisive blows in the latter overs sealed England’s victory, leaving the hosts unable to mount a recovery.
The series now stands at a thrilling 2-2, setting the stage for an exciting final showdown between the two sides at the same venue. England, having shown remarkable resilience to level the series after being down 2-0, will aim to carry forward their momentum into the ultimate contest.
Reflecting on his exclusion from the IPL auction, Phil Salt admitted his initial confusion but used it as motivation for his performance, acknowledging both the disappointment and the gratitude for the opportunity to play cricket.
Livingstone, accelerating as Phil Salt departed, added three boundaries in the last over, reaching his own half-century from just 20 balls. England’s total of 267-3 stood as the second-highest by a full ICC member nation in T20Is, surpassing their previous best of 241-3 against New Zealand in 2019.
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