Gros-Islet, Saint Lucia: Phil Salt thrashed a brilliant 87 not out off just 47 balls as defending champions England romped to an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in their T20 World Cup Super Eight clash on Wednesday.
Salt smashed seven fours and five sixes during a swashbuckling innings at the Daren Sammy National Stadium in St. Lucia while Jonny Bairstow hit an unbeaten 48 as England finished on 181-2 off 17.3 overs after earlier restricting the West Indies to 180-4.
Player of the Match Salt effectively sealed victory after cutting loose in the 16th over, hammering 30 runs off West Indies bowler Romario Shepherd with an exhibition of power-hitting that included three sixes and three fours.
The win marked an emphatic return to form for England, who laboured through the first round group phase and flirted with elimination at one stage.
"We're not looking too far ahead, just glad to contribute to the win," Salt said after his match-winning knock.
The England opener praised the contribution of Bairstow, who kept the runs flowing and took the pressure off Salt at the other end.
"There are a lot of different factors that can affect an innings," Salt said. "There was a period where I did not face a lot of balls, but important to stick around and carry on.
"Jonny was fantastic, and took pressure off me by taking calculated risks. I couldn't be happier as a team-mate."
England's other runs came from 25 from skipper Jos Buttler while Moeen Ali added a brisk 13. -- AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
