England's dominance in the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup 2024 was showcased in their emphatic eight-wicket victory over West Indies in St Lucia. Phil Salt's blistering 87 not out and Jonny Bairstow's unbeaten 48 propelled England to a clinical chase of 181.
West Indies, batting first, posted a competitive total thanks to Rovman Powell's late surge. Powell's 36 off 18 deliveries, including three sixes off Liam Livingstone, helped the hosts reach 180 for 4. However, England's spin duo of Adil Rashid (1-21) and Moeen Ali (1-28) restricted the West Indies batters throughout the innings.
England's chase started cautiously, but Salt and Bairstow's 97-run partnership shifted the momentum. Salt, who was dropped on seven, played a calculated innings, reaching his half-century off 38 deliveries. Bairstow, batting at a strike rate of over 200, provided the impetus in the middle overs.
Salt's brutal assault on Romario Shepherd in the 16th over, which yielded 30 runs, sealed the victory for England. The right-hander struck three fours and three sixes in the over, the joint-most expensive by a West Indian in a T20 World Cup.
West Indies' fielding woes continued to haunt them, as they missed a half-chance to dismiss Salt early in the innings. The dropped catch proved costly as Salt went on to anchor England's chase.
England's victory sends a strong message to the other teams in the Super Eight. Their clinical performance, coupled with their depth in batting and bowling, makes them a formidable contender for the title.
Tags: #T20WorldCup, #England, #WestIndies, #PhilSalt, #JonnyBairstow
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