Phil Salt’s brilliant century guided England to a comfortable eight-wicket victory against the West Indies in their first T20 International at the Kensington Oval.
Salt’s (103*) third T20 International hundred from 53 balls and third against the West Indies saw England cruise to victory with 3.1 overs remaining.
Barbados born Jacob Bethell (58*) ably assisted Salt with his own maiden T20 International half century and their unbroken partnership of 107 took the game away from the West Indies.
England’s chase was the highest in T20 Internationals at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval, after the West Indies posted 182 – 9.
Lower order cameos from Gudakesh Motie (33) and Romario Shepherd (35*) boosted the hosts to their eventual total, despite England reducing them to 117 – 8.
Saqib Mahmood struck three times for England in the Power Play, ending with figures of 4 – 34, and Adil Rashid chipped away with 3 – 32 in the middle.
West Indies’ 55 runs in the final five overs of their innings saw them reach a respectable total, but Salt and Bethell allowed England to cruise to victory with total ease.
The West Indies will have a chance to respond tomorrow night at the same venue.
