Phil Salt thrashed a brilliant 87 not out off just 47 balls as defending champions England romped to an eight-wicket victory over the previously unbeaten West Indies in their T20 World Cup Super Eight opener in St Lucia.
Salt smashed seven fours and five sixes, while Jonny Bairstow hit an unbeaten 48 as England finished on 181 for two off 17.3 overs after earlier restricting the West Indies to 180 for four.
Salt sealed victory after cutting loose in the 16th over, hammering 30 runs off West Indies bowler Romario Shepherd with three sixes and three fours.
The win marked a return to form for England, who flirted with elimination at one stage.
“We’re not looking too far ahead, just glad to contribute to the win,” Salt said after his winning knock. “Jonny was fantastic and took pressure off me by taking calculated risks. I couldn’t be happier as a teammat.”
England’s other runs came from Jos Buttler (25) and Moeen Ali (13).
West Indies skipper Rovman Powell lamented his team’s bowling performance.
“The execution wasn’t good. Credit to Salt, he always hurts us,” he said.
Elsewhere, Quinton de Kock hit a blistering 74 as South Africa defeated United States by 18 runs in their Super Eight opener.
The Proteas piled up 194 for four off their 20 overs before restricting the US to 176 for six.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 