England T20 win over West Indies like ‘being at Hong Kong Sixes’, Butler says, as Salt powers team to record score
- Phil Salt smashes 119 from just 57 balls as England beat West Indies by 75 runs in fourth T20 international
- England’s 267 for three the team’s highest T20 score and fifth best men’s T20 score ever
Phil Salt smashed a superb 119 from just 57 balls as England hammered West Indies by 75 runs in the fourth T20 international, a performance captain Jos Buttler compared to being at the Hong Kong Sixes.
England piled on a team record 267 for three in their innings, with victory at Brian Lara Academy levelling the series 2-2 ahead of a decider at the same ground on Thursday.
The visitors’ score was the fifth highest in men’s T20 history, and came thanks largely to a stand of 117 in 9.5 overs between Phil Salt and Buttler. Buttler made a 29-ball 55, and Salt scored his second consecutive century from just 58 deliveries, hitting 10 sixes and seven fours.
When they were done, Will Jacks made 24 off nine balls and Liam Livingstone blasted an unbeaten 54 off 21, including four sixes and four boundaries.
England’s tally was second-highest innings score in a match between full member nations and although West Indies made a fast-scoring start they rapidly lost wickets and ended up bowled out for 192 in 15.3 overs.
Skipper Buttler was beaming after what was a feat of big-hitting with 33 sixes in the day.
“A fantastic win,” he said. “You don’t play in too many of those games. It was like being at the Hong Kong Sixes. Really proud of the group, to play with the bravery, the courage and the skill level that we have.”
Salt’s score was the highest by an Englishman in T20 internationals, and having hit an unbeaten ton in England’s victory in Grenada on Saturday his form bodes well for the country’s hopes in June’s World Cup, which is being played in the region.
“I’m definitely enjoying it. It’s a cool place to tour,” he said. “The boys have produced the goods in the last couple of games and now we’ve got a decider to look forward to.”
The West Indies’ run chase started badly with Brandon King removed with the first ball of the innings, edging to Reece Topley at short third man off Moeen Ali.
But Nicholas Pooran came in and hammered 20 off the rest of Ali’s opening over as the home side showed they were ready for the daunting task.
The runs were flowing but Kyle Mayers was caught by Chris Woakes, at the second attempt, after looping a mistimed drive off Topley high to mid-on.
Shai Hope went for 16 after he top-edged Woakes to the grateful Salt behind the stumps leaving West Indies at 78-4 in just the sixth over.
Andre Russell offered a reminder of his power with five sixes in his 51 off 25 balls but England wrapped up the win when Russell was caught by Harry Brook off Topley in the 16th over, with the home side on 192.
