Phil Salt smashes century to steer England to victory over West Indies

Phil Salt smashed a scintillating century and Barbados-born Jacob Bethell blasted an unbeaten 58 as England romped to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in their opening T20I at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 183 to win, England opener Salt guided the tourists home with 19 balls to spare after a dazzling unbeaten 103 in Bridgetown.

Salt’s third T20 international century came off just 54 balls, including nine fours and six sixes as England cantered to victory, finishing on 183-2 in the 17th over.

Phil Salt set the tone for a dominant England performance in the fourth over, bludgeoning West Indies bowler Shamar Joseph around the ground for 24 runs to take England to 52-0.

The 21-year-old Bethell, who was born and grew up in Barbados before moving to England when he was 12, provided a dazzling half-century, delighting a contingent of friends and family in the stands with a 36-ball knock that included five fours and two sixes.

It’s worth noting that all three of Salt’s T20I centuries have come in games played at Caribbean venues against West Indies. He scored back-to-back tons in last December’s series.

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“I enjoy batting here — I’ve grown up on these surfaces,” Salt said. “It’s probably the place I’m happiest.”

Earlier, West Indies had finished their innings on 182-9 thanks to a late burst of scoring from the lower order, with Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie accounting for 98 runs of the home side’s final total.

Russell smashed four sixes on his way to 30 off 17 balls while Shepherd slashed an unbeaten 35 off 22 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes.

Shepherd received sterling support from Motie, the tailender cutting loose to score 33 off 14 balls before being caught by Dan Mousley off Saqib Mahmood.

Mahmood was the pick of England’s bowlers, taking four wickets for 34 runs off his four overs. Adil Rashid took three for 32 off four overs.

The second match of the five-match series between West Indies and England will be played on Sunday in Bridgetown.

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