The first Twenty20 encounter in Barbados saw England defeat the West Indies by eight wickets thanks to Phil Salt’s brilliant century, which made it easy for his team to chase down 183. In the last year, Salt has scored three T20 hundreds for England, all against the West Indies, including his knock of 103 off just 54 balls.
Salt’s blistering pace was evident early on, as he raced to his first 50 in just 25 balls. England reached 73 runs in the first six overs, with the only loss being Will Jacks, who made a quick 17. England captain Jos Buttler, however, was dismissed for a golden duck on his return after a four-month injury layoff.
Salt kept the innings going even after Buttler left early. He modified his strategy after gaining control of the necessary run rate, and with 19 balls left, he led England to the highest T20 chase at the Kensington Oval.
Strong support came from Barbados-born England player Jacob Bethell, who finished undefeated at 58 off 36 balls. Bethell became the youngest player to hit a T20 fifty for England at the age of 21, setting a new record.
Earlier in the match, West Indies set a challenging total, finishing with 183-9. Their innings saw early collapses to 18-3 and later 117-8, but an aggressive finish, including a rapid 33 from number 10 Gukadesh Motie, helped them add 65 runs in the last five overs.
Adil Rashid took 3-32 and Saqib Mahmood claimed 4-34, giving England’s bowlers the lead at first. The West Indies’ lower order scored late, though, and their hold on the game loosened, giving them a manageable total.
The second Twenty20 match of the five-match series will be played at the same venue on Sunday. Reece Topley left the pitch in evident difficulty following a knee injury sustained in his third over, raising concerns about his recuperation for England.
While England struggled throughout the preceding ODI series, they appeared far more at ease in the T20 format, delivering an entertaining performance. Salt’s explosive innings were a standout, and Motie’s catch to dismiss Buttler, along with Buttler’s own one-handed grab at slip, brought excitement to the field.
Salt, who spent much of his youth in Barbados, got England’s chase off to a flying start with a six and four boundaries in a 24-run over from Shamar Joseph. He combined power with elegance, celebrating his century with visible elation as he charged toward his teammates.
Bethell’s mature performance was another bright spot for England. He started cautiously, managing only five runs off his first eight balls, but soon found his rhythm, finishing with stylish shots including a six over extra cover.
Buttler was dismissed early in the contest, but he had enough to celebrate when he returned. Bethell’s promising innings, Motie’s incredible catch, Salt’s century, and England’s outstanding performance all helped the team win the opening match of the Twenty20 series.
