England one step closer to T20 World Cup semi-final thanks to Phil Salt heroics and incredible 97-run partnership
ENGLAND took a big step towards the T20 semi-final after cruising to victory against hosts West Indies.
Phil Salt put on a show as his return of 87 runs from just 47 balls quickly shut down any hope of a West Indies victory.
The hosts recorded a total of 180 runs for England to chase down, losing four wickets as well as Brandon King who retired hurt.
Jofra Archer, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid each took a wicket, before England set about reaching 181 to win.
They were in control throughout with the bat, as Salt and captain Jos Buttler put on an opening partnership of 67 before Buttler was dismissed LBW by Roston Chase.
Ali did not last very long when he came to the crease with 13 runs from 10 balls, leaving England 84/2 after 10.1 overs.
At that point the West Indies may have fancied their chances but any hope was quickly dashed by Johnny Bairstow.
The batter hit 46 from 26 balls and his partnership with Salt proved to be the matchwinner.
Salt was efficient throughout and put England on the edge of victory with an incredible display in the 16th over.
He scored 30 runs off bowler Romario Shepard with three fours and three sixes – making it the joint-most expensive over by a West Indian in a T20 World Cup.
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After that England required just three more balls for victory, with Bairstow scoring the winning runs to secure an eight-wicket triumph.
Next England face South Africa on Friday before a clash with USA on Sunday to decide who progresses to the T20 World Cup semi-final.
After the match Salt was full of praise for his batting partner Bairstow, saying: “Once Jos got out, I had to be the better to bat through.
“For Jonny to come out and take the pressure off me by taking calculated risks. I couldn’t be happier about that as a teammate.”