WEST INDIES    VS ENGLAND , SUPER 8 GROUP 2, T20 WORLD CUP, 2024

Phil Salt’s notable fifty alongside Jonny Bairstow’s brief yet effective innings propelled England to an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies at the D Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia on Thursday.

Contributions from Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, and Sherfane Rutherford earlier in the game enabled the West Indies to post a respectable total of 180, after England, led by Jos Buttler, chose to field first upon winning the toss.

This victory marked England’s initial success in the Super Eight phase of the competition, following a mixed performance in the group stages. In contrast, the West Indies, who had previously dominated the group stage, faced a significant defeat today.

Turning Moment :

The critical juncture occurred during the final overs of the West Indies’ batting. Positioned to achieve a score near the 200-mark set against Afghanistan two nights before, they were at 137 after 15 overs but managed to reach only 180. England’s strategic bowling during these overs, including three without any boundaries and crucial wickets by Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer, was pivotal. Their efforts curbed the West Indies’ momentum by removing key hitters like Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell at a crucial time .

TOSS-
England Captain Jos Buttler won the toss and decided to bowl first .

West Indies Playing XI:

Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran(w), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell(c), Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie

England Playing XI:

Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w/c), Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley

WEST INDIES

Power Play: Brandon King sidelined due to injury after promising start

Phase Score: 54/0 (RR: 9.00, 4s/6s: 8/1)

England’s bowling unit set a robust foundation after deciding to field first, with only 13 runs conceded in the initial two overs. Brandon King switched bats and successfully connected with a full delivery from Reece Topley, sending the ball soaring over mid-wicket for a six. Johnson Charles, his opening partner, edged a boundary, contributing to two hits from that over and generating early momentum. The following three overs maintained pace, each featuring two boundaries, thrusting the West Indies beyond the 50-run mark in the Power Play. However, the phase ended on a low as King departed, grappling with an apparent groin injury incurred while attempting a hit off Sam Curran.

Middle overs: Economic Rashid and aggressive Powell

Phase Score: 83/2 (RR: 9.22, 4s/6s: 2/7)

Nicholas Pooran kicked off strong, driving Topley the boundary before swinging Mark Wood for a six. England’s spinners, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, tightened the screws, yielding just 10 runs across two overs. Johnson Charles, stagnant at 30 runs off as many balls, aimed to rectify the pace with a mighty six off Rashid. Nonetheless, his efforts for a repeat were thwarted by Moeen Ali in the subsequent over, ending his stint at 36 runs. England, under Rashid’s economical spell of just 19 runs from three overs, controlled the game during this phase. Yet, West Indies captain Rovman Powell shifted the dynamics with robust batting, including back-to-back sixes. Although Liam Livingstone claimed Powell’s wicket in the 15th over after a powerful 36-run spree, the damage was substantial.

Death Overs: England holds firm grip

Phase Score: 43/2 (RR: 8.60, 4s/6s: 3/2)

Continuing from Powell’s dismissal, England enforced pressure, with Jofra Archer compelling a Pooran mistake that led to a catch. Rashid wrapped up an impressive spell, having Andre Russell caught in the deep, while Romario Shepherd propelled West Indies briefly before Sam Curran delivered a crucial over free of boundaries, leaving England dominantly positioned at the halfway stage with a score of 180.

ENGLAND

Power Play: Buttler and Salt set a steady foundation

Phase Score: 58/0 (RR: 9.67, 4s/6s: 5/2)

Tasked with defending 180, the West Indies aimed to constrain or strike early during the PowerPlay. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler negated those efforts efficiently. Powell assigned Akeal Hosein alongside seamers to maintain line but was occasionally deflected for boundaries. Salt seized opportunities against Andre Russell with a straight drive for six, concluding the PowerPlay with a forceful pull off Alzarri Joseph for another six. Despite a missed chance to catch Salt at seven runs, Hosein matched Rashid’s earlier frugality.

Middle Overs: Bairstow’s counter-assault pressures West Indies

Phase Score: 83/2 (RR: 9.22, 4s/6s: 7/2)

Following England’s stable start, Gudakesh Motie and spinner Roston Chase applied pressure, with Chase clinching Buttler’s wicket. Moeen Ali briskly added runs before being dismissed by Russell. Then Jonny Bairstow accelerated, attacking Joseph and Hosein for significant runs, propelling his score to 46 off 21 balls before the phase concluded.

Death Overs: Salt concludes the chase impressively

Phase Score: 40/0(RR: 16, 4s/6s: 4/3)

Needing 40 runs in the final five overs, Phil Salt rapidly accumulated 30 runs against Shepherd in the 16th over, achieving a swift victory for England.

Brief scores:

West Indies 180/4 in 20 overs (Rovman Powell 36, Nicholas Pooran 36; Adil Rashid 1-21) lost to England 181/2 in 17.3 overs (Phil Salt 87*, Jonny Bairstow 48\*; Roston Chase 1-19) by eight wickets.