Phil Salt (left) and Jacob Bethell (right) of England celebrate their victory in the first T20I against the West Indies. — AFP
England's Phil Salt expressed his joy following his match-winning performance against the West Indies in the opening game of the five-match T20 International series on Saturday. Salt's commanding century led England to an eight-wicket triumph over the West Indies in Barbados, despite captain Jos Buttler's disappointing return from injury. Buttler, winning his first toss after a four-month injury layoff, opted to field first, with powerful lower-order contributions from Gudakesh Motie and Romario Shepherd helping the West Indies set a challenging target of 183 runs.
Salt's unbeaten innings, featuring six sixes, was complemented by Jacob Bethell's maiden T20I half-century, after Buttler was dismissed for a golden duck, securing England's highest-ever T20I run chase at Kensington Oval. "I think this is probably the place I'm happiest. I enjoy batting here. I've grown up on these surfaces," said Salt, who spent his early years in Barbados with his family.
With fast bowler Jofra Archer rested after playing all three ODIs in the Caribbean, Saqib Mahmood stepped into the bowling attack, displaying no signs of rust as he took three wickets in four overs, leaving the West Indies struggling at 18-3. The hosts remained aggressive, frequently finding the boundary, but wickets continued to fall. Adil Rashid's leg before wicket dismissal of Akeal Hosein put England in control.
A crucial 49-run partnership between Shepherd and Motie, the latter smashing a rapid 33 off 14 balls, ensured England would need a historic performance to start their T20 series with a win. Salt, fresh from his slowest-ever ODI half-century in England's defeat in the one-day series decider on Wednesday, was in no mood to delay, reaching 50 from 25 balls within the first powerplay.
Will Jacks' dismissal for 17 brought Buttler to the crease, but the skipper was soon back in the pavilion as Motie took a spectacular one-handed catch on the boundary. Without Alzarri Joseph in the bowling attack, suspended for two matches after an altercation with captain Shai Hope during Wednesday's win, the West Indies struggled to contain Salt and Bethell.
Salt surpassed 1000 T20I runs as he continued to find the boundary, reaching his third century in the format with a driven four down the ground, before Bethell sealed England's victory with three overs to spare. "Tonight it didn't really come off," said West Indies captain Rovman Powell. "Credit has to be given to the boys. We still managed to score 180. We have highlighted the way we want to play. In the bad times, you have to keep backing yourselves. It is unfortunate tonight it didn't work for us."
After defeating England 2-1 in the one-day series, the West Indies will aim to turn the tables in the T20 format, with the second of five matches scheduled for Sunday in Bridgetown.
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