Article by David Harris
Opener Phil Salt smashed an unbeaten century (103 off 54 balls) to pave the way for England’s commanding victory over the West Indies at Kensington Oval on Saturday night.
Chasing a competitive target of 183, Salt shared an unbroken third wicket partnership of 107 with Barbados born Jacob Bethell (58 not out from 36 balls) to guide England to victory with 19 balls to spare. It was the highest successful chase in a T20I at Kensington Oval.
Salt grew up in Barbados, he and Bethell played their school cricket at Harrison College, and there were plenty of their friends and family in the stands watching them destroying the West Indies bowlers.
Salt struck nine fours and six sixes during his innings, and Bethell counted five fours and two sixes.
England’s run chase began at a rapid rate with Salt and Will Jacks (17) scoring 73 runs before Jacks was bowled left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie off the final ball of the sixth over.
Captain Jos Buttler’s international comeback did not last long, he was dismissed for a golden duck by Romario Shepherd.
At that stage the West Indies hoped to get back into the game, but Salt and Bethell thwarted their plans.
Earlier, the West Indies made 182 for nine wickets after England won the toss and opted to field. They were in deep trouble at 18 for three wickets in the fourth over, after fast bowler Saqib Mahmood took the wickets of Brandon King, Evin Lewis, and Shimron Hetmeyer.
England’s bowlers continued chip away at the wickets and the West Indies slipped to 69 for five wickets. Nicholas Pooran (38 off 29 balls) tried to hold the innings together but when his wicket at 117 for eight wickets in the 14th over, the regional side was in danger of being dismissed below a par score.
Andre Russell (30 off 17 balls), Romario Shepherd (35 not out from 22 balls) and an entertaining 33 not out by Motie from 14 balls give the West Indies a strong finish.
Unfortunately, the West Indies score was a walk in the park for Salt and Bethell. Mahmood took four wickets for 34 runs, and Rashid picked up three for 32.
