In a stunning display of power hitting, Phil Salt and Jonny Bairstow led England to a crucial victory in their opening game of the Super 8 stage at the T20 World Cup 2024.
Phil Salt was the star of the match, scoring an unbeaten 87 runs off 47 balls, including seven fours and five sixes. His explosive performance peaked in the 16th over, where he hammered Romario Shepherd for 30 runs.
Jonny Bairstow also contributed significantly with a vital 48 runs off 26 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes. Together, Salt and Bairstow amassed an unbeaten 97-run partnership in just 44 balls for the third wicket, securing England’s win.
For the West Indies, Andre Russell and Roston Chase managed to claim one wicket each. Despite their efforts, the West Indies faced their first defeat in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Earlier, the West Indies set a competitive target of 180-4 in their 20 overs after England chose to bowl first. The openers, Johnson Charles and Brandon King, gave a solid start, reaching 36-0 in the first four overs. However, King retired hurt with a suspected groin injury after scoring 23 runs off 13 balls.
Charles scored 38 runs off 34 balls, forming a 54-run partnership in 41 balls with Nicholas Pooran, who stepped in after King’s injury. The West Indies were well-positioned at 82/0 after 10 overs, but England’s bowlers tightened their grip in the latter half.
Captain Rovman Powell’s quickfire 36 runs off 17 balls, featuring five sixes, provided the necessary impetus. Sherfane Rutherford added an unbeaten 28 runs off 15 balls with one four and two sixes, but the West Indies could only manage 43 runs in the final five overs while losing two wickets.
Adil Rashid stood out for England with impressive bowling figures of 1-21 in four overs. Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, and Liam Livingstone each picked up a wicket, contributing to England’s successful start in the Super 8 stage.
This match marked the first Super 8 encounter for both teams in the T20 World Cup 2024.
