Sun Nov 10 20:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Salt’s Century Powers England to Crushing Win in Barbados

**Bridgetown, Barbados:** Phil Salt smashed his third T20I century, a brilliant 103* off 54 balls, to guide England to a dominant eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the opening match of the five-match series at the Kensington Oval on Friday.

Salt’s masterclass, which included a record-breaking 107-run partnership with Jacob Bethell (58* off 36), saw England chase down a competitive target of 183 with 19 balls to spare, setting a new record for the highest successful run chase at the venue.

England’s chase was set ablaze by a blistering PowerPlay, where they amassed 73 runs, losing only Will Jacks (18) off the final ball of the sixth over. Salt’s aggressive approach, targeting particularly Shamar Joseph, who conceded 24 runs in his opening over, put West Indies on the backfoot from the start.

Though skipper Jos Buttler’s international comeback was marred by a golden duck, Bethell quickly settled in, forming a formidable left-right combination that frustrated the West Indies bowlers. The duo’s measured approach, coupled with a surface offering little assistance to the bowlers, ensured England’s chase never faltered.

Earlier, West Indies, put into bat, struggled to gain momentum, losing their top three wickets for just 18 runs. Saqib Mahmood (4-34) was the chief destroyer, picking up three wickets in his opening spell, while Adil Rashid (3-32) chipped away at the wickets, leaving the hosts reeling at 69/5.

Nicholas Pooran (38 off 29) offered some resistance but his dismissal sparked another collapse, leaving West Indies at 117/8. However, late cameos from Andre Russell (30 off 17), Romario Shepherd (35* off 22), and Gudakesh Motie (33* off 14) helped West Indies reach 182/9, a total ultimately deemed insufficient against Salt’s brilliance.

**Brief Scores:**

**West Indies:** 182/9 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 38, Romario Shepherd 35*; Saqib Mahmood 4-34, Adil Rashid 3-32)

**England:** 183/2 in 16.5 overs (Phil Salt 103*, Jacob Bethell 58*; Gudakesh Motie 1-45)

**Result:** England won by eight wickets.

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