Phil Salt's Century Powers England to T20I Series Opener Victory over West Indies

England's Phil Salt Shines with Unbeaten Century in T20I Series Opener Victory over West Indies

In the opening match of the five-match T20I series in Barbados, England secured an impressive eight-wicket victory over West Indies on Saturday, thanks to a scintillating century from opener Phil Salt.

Batting first, West Indies posted a challenging total of 183 runs, with Gudakesh Motie and Romario Shepherd contributing crucial runs in the latter stages of the innings. However, England's chase was anchored by Salt's unbeaten 103 off just 54 deliveries, which included six towering sixes.

Salt's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he dominated the West Indies bowling attack. He was ably supported by Jacob Bethell, who made his T20I debut and contributed a valuable 50 runs.

England's victory was also aided by the return of Saqib Mahmood, who impressed with figures of 3 for 24. Mahmood's wickets helped restrict West Indies' scoring and put England in a strong position.

Despite an aggressive batting approach, West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals. A ninth-wicket partnership of 49 runs between Shepherd and Motie provided some late impetus, but it was not enough to prevent England from securing a comfortable victory.

England captain Jos Buttler, returning from injury, was dismissed for a golden duck in his first match since November. However, Salt's heroics ensured that England's batting lineup remained unfazed.

With the win, England takes a 1-0 lead in the series. The two teams will meet again at the same venue on Sunday, with England aiming to extend their advantage and West Indies looking to level the series.

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