Cricket

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to witness a thrilling encounter between the United States and England in Super Eights Match 9. The match will take place at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Sunday.Both teams enter the match with contrasting fortunes. The USA suffered a nine-wicket defeat to the West Indies in their Super 8 opener, while England fell short by seven runs against South Africa.Despite their recent setbacks, both teams will be eager to secure a victory in this crucial fixture. The USA will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing start, while England will be determined to avoid a second consecutive loss.Head-to-Head:Surprisingly, the USA and England have never faced each other in the T20I format. This will be the first time these two teams will lock horns, making it a highly anticipated encounter.Key Players to Watch:Phil Salt (ENG): England's top-order batter has been in impressive form, scoring 158 runs in the recent five matches.Steven Ryan Taylor (USA): The USA's top-order batter has been a vital cog in their batting unit, scoring 62 runs in the recent five matches.Jos Buttler (ENG): England's skipper has been in flamboyant form with the bat, smashing 108 runs in the recent five matches.Harmeet Singh (USA): The bowling all-rounder has provided balance to the USA's starting XI, picking up four wickets and scoring 48 runs in the recent five matches.Sam Curran (ENG): The star all-rounder was the player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup 2022. He has scored 10 runs and picked up one wicket in the recent three matches.Jasdeep Singh (USA): The right-arm medium pacer has been a prominent part of the USA's pace battery, scalping one wicket in the recent four matches.With a mix of experienced and emerging players on both sides, this match promises to be a close and exciting contest. The winner will take a significant step towards securing a place in the semi-finals.

England's title defense in the T20 World Cup 2024 got off to a flying start as they comprehensively defeated West Indies in the opening match of the Super Eight stage.Batting first, West Indies posted a competitive total of 180/4 in 20 overs, thanks to a solid innings from Brandon King (56) and Rovman Powell (48). However, England's batting lineup proved too strong, chasing down the target with ease in just 17.3 overs.Phil Salt was the star of the show for England, smashing an unbeaten 87 off just 47 balls. His innings was a display of power and precision, featuring seven boundaries and five maximums. One of his sixes, a 100-meter blast off Andre Russell's bowling, became the highlight of the match.Jonny Bairstow provided valuable support to Salt, scoring an unbeaten 48. The duo put on a 122-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively sealing the victory for England.England's victory was a testament to their depth and experience in T20 cricket. They showed no signs of complacency after their dominant performance against Afghanistan in the group stage.West Indies, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance. Despite posting a competitive total, they were unable to contain England's aggressive batting. They will need to regroup quickly for their upcoming match against USA.England will now face South Africa in their next Super 8s clash on Friday, while West Indies will take on USA on Saturday.

England's Phil Salt continued his impressive form in the T20 World Cup 2024, guiding his team to a thrilling victory over West Indies in the Super 8 match. Chasing a target of 181, Salt played a pivotal role with an unbeaten 87, including a remarkable 30-run over off Romario Shepherd.Salt's innings began with a boundary through extra cover, bringing up his half-century. He followed it up with a six straight down the ground. Shepherd's slower delivery was met with a four, and the pressure mounted as he struggled to maintain his line and length.A wide delivery outside the off-stump sailed over long-off for six, and the fifth ball of the over was another six over backward square leg. The final ball was a juicy full-toss, which Salt dispatched over wide mid-off for four.Salt's destructive batting earned praise from England skipper Jos Buttler. "It was an incredible innings, a mature senior player's innings," Buttler said. "He batted with a lot of power."England's victory was also aided by a strong bowling performance, restricting West Indies to 180/6. Adil Rashid was particularly impressive, taking 2/24 in his four overs.The win puts England in a strong position in the Super 8 stage, as they look to defend their T20 World Cup title. Salt's form will be crucial to their success, and his performance against West Indies has sent a clear message to their opponents.

Daren Sammy, the head coach of the West Indies cricket team, urged his players to dismiss their eight-wicket loss to England as a minor setback and maintain their belief in their ability to win an unprecedented third men's T20 World Cup title.Despite setting England a competitive target of 181 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia, the West Indies bowlers failed to make an impact, allowing the defending champions to cruise to victory with 15 balls to spare. Phil Salt and Jonny Bairstow's unbroken 97-run partnership for the third wicket proved decisive for England.Sammy acknowledged that his team fell short of a winning total on a flat pitch, but he emphasized that this loss should not dampen their spirits. "It's part of the game," Sammy said. "We still believe we've got a team that could win this World Cup."The West Indies made two changes to their lineup, bringing back Roston Chase and Romario Shepherd in place of Shai Hope and Obed McCoy. Sammy defended the decision, highlighting Shepherd's all-around abilities and his potential impact against England's strong batting lineup.Despite their current position at the bottom of Group 2 in the Super Eight, the West Indies remain confident in their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. They will need to secure victories against both the USA and South Africa in their remaining matches."We did not execute our plans well enough," Sammy admitted. "But that doesn't mean we're out of it. We've got to win all our matches, and that's what we'll focus on."The West Indies will travel to Barbados for their next match against the USA on Friday. Sammy indicated that the team will assess their performance and make any necessary adjustments to improve their chances of success.

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.

Phil Salt, a rising star in English cricket, is set to make a special return to Barbados, the place where he spent his formative years. Fourteen years after witnessing England's triumph in the 2010 World T20 from the stands, Salt is now an integral part of the team aiming to defend their title at the same venue.Salt's journey to international stardom began in Barbados, where he honed his skills from the age of nine to 15. Despite not being a native Bajan like Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan, Salt acknowledges the profound impact the island has had on his life and career."To be back here and have the opportunity to play for England in a World Cup is a dream come true," Salt said. "Barbados has always been a special place for me, and I'm grateful for the experiences I had here."Salt's rise to prominence has been marked by a combination of factors, including increased experience in international cricket, a keen analysis of his strengths and weaknesses, and a mindset shift towards becoming a game-changer for England."I've realized that I want to be the person winning more games for my country," Salt said. "I'm not afraid to take risks and play aggressively, but I also understand the importance of staying grounded and focusing on one ball at a time."Salt's partnership with England captain Jos Buttler has been instrumental in his growth. The duo has forged a formidable opening stand, showcasing their complementary styles and ability to adapt to different situations."We communicate a lot out there and realize that when one goes, we feed the strike to the other person," Salt said. "It's a partnership based on trust and understanding."As England embarks on their World T20 title defense, Salt is confident in his team's abilities. He draws inspiration from the 2010 triumph, where the opening partnership played a pivotal role."I remember watching Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb in that final," Salt said. "They were incredible, and I've always tried to emulate their fearless approach."If Salt and Buttler can replicate the success of their predecessors, England will have a strong chance of lifting the trophy once again. And for Salt, it would be a dream come true, fulfilling the childhood aspirations he had while watching that memorable final in Barbados.

Defending champions England will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Scotland on June 4 in Bridgetown, Barbados. Despite facing rain-affected preparations, England remains a formidable contender for the title.Phil Salt, who impressed in the Indian Premier League, will be a key player for England. The return of pacer Jofra Archer adds firepower to the bowling attack. England will be the overwhelming favorites against Scotland, who are making their first appearance in the shortest format of the tournament.England has a strong record in T20 cricket, having won the World Cup in 2010 and 2022. They will be aiming to become the first team to win the tournament three times.In the other match of the day, Afghanistan will face Uganda in Guyana. Afghanistan, who performed well in the last ODI World Cup, will be the favorites against the African nation, who are making their tournament debut.

England's captain, Jos Buttler, remains optimistic about his team's chances of retaining the T20 World Cup despite their disappointing performance in the 50-over World Cup. Buttler acknowledges that England's failures in India were not solely due to a lack of clarity from the team management.Despite being considered favorites for the 2023 World Cup, England lost six of their first seven matches, including a humiliating defeat to South Africa. Buttler himself endured a poor campaign with the bat, leading to criticism that his own struggles had impacted his communication within the squad.However, Buttler defended his leadership, stating that England's problem was simply a lack of execution. He admitted that there could have been more communication at times, but emphasized that the team's performance was ultimately below par.Buttler believes that England has the experience and talent to bounce back from adversity, as they did after losing to Ireland in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He highlighted the importance of playing well in crunch moments and adapting to different conditions.England gained valuable experience in the tournament's likely conditions during their T20I series against the West Indies before Christmas. Phil Salt emerged as a key player, cementing his status as Buttler's opening partner with back-to-back centuries.Buttler praised Salt's insatiable appetite for learning and his improved off-side game. He believes that Salt can be a key player for England in the World Cup.England's campaign begins against Scotland on June 4 in Bridgetown. They have enlisted the help of Kieron Pollard as a batting consultant, and Buttler is confident that the team's preparations will enable them to perform well.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have emerged as a formidable force in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, securing a top spot in the league phase with an impressive record of nine wins and three losses. As the playoffs approach, opener Phil Salt expresses his optimism for the team's continued success."We've had a great run so far, and we're hoping to keep the momentum going," Salt said on KKR's Knights Dugout Podcast. "It's about taking it day by day and putting our best foot forward."Salt has been a key contributor to KKR's success, forming a potent opening partnership with Sunil Narine. Their aggressive approach has often left opposition bowlers struggling to contain them.Mitchell Starc, KKR's left-arm pacer, shares Salt's enthusiasm for the playoffs. "We're all excited to be here and we're aiming to win the trophy," Starc said. "That's what we're here for."Starc, who is making his return to the IPL after a 10-year absence, is eager to make an impact. "It's been a while since I've been here, but I'm looking forward to it," he said.Salt also reflected on his recent experience with the England squad. "It was an incredible experience," he said. "My phone was blowing up with messages congratulating me."He shared an anecdote about facing Jofra Archer in the nets. "He's the fastest I've faced in the nets," Salt said. "It's good because it helps sharpen the reflexes, but there have been times when he's hit me right before the match day and then all hell has broken loose."KKR will face second-placed Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on May 19 in the concluding match of the league stage. The team is determined to maintain its momentum and secure a berth in the playoffs.