Phil Salt delivered one of the T20 World Cup 2024's most explosive innings as England crushed West Indies by eight wickets in their Super 8s Group 2 clash at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Saint Lucia. Chasing 181, England cruised home in 17.3 overs with 15 balls to spare — the result never in doubt once Salt found his rhythm.
Phil Salt Dismantles West Indies With 30 Runs in One Over
Salt finished unbeaten on 87 off just 47 balls, but the defining moment came in the 16th over when he took Romario Shepherd apart with three sixes and three fours — a breathtaking 30-run over that effectively ended the contest. It equalled the joint-most expensive over conceded by a West Indian bowler in T20 World Cup history.
Salt also registered the tournament's fastest half-century at that point in the competition, underlining his role as England's most dangerous powerplay and middle-order weapon.
Bairstow Completes England's Dominant Chase
Jonny Bairstow was equally clinical at the other end, contributing 48 not out from 26 balls. His three-boundary sequence off Akeal Hosein in the 15th over put England in an unassailable position, and he had the honour of hitting the winning run. The 97-run stand between Salt and Bairstow made the chase look embarrassingly simple.
West Indies Fall Short Despite Solid Total
West Indies posted 180 for 4 from their 20 overs — a competitive score on paper. Johnson Charles (38 off 34), Rovman Powell (36 off 17), and Nicholas Pooran (36 off 32) all chipped in, but none built the match-defining innings West Indies needed. England's bowlers were disciplined throughout, with Adil Rashid (1-21) and Moeen Ali (1-15) keeping the back-end of the innings to just 53 runs in the last five overs.
Buttler Praises Team's Aggressive Approach
England captain Jos Buttler praised his side's "aggressive, albeit measured" approach with the bat, singling out Salt and Bairstow for their outstanding partnership. The win lifted England to the top of Super 8s Group 2 and confirmed their status as genuine T20 World Cup title contenders.
West Indies captain Rovman Powell acknowledged dropped catches and lapses in bowling discipline, though he remained optimistic about his side's remaining campaign. West Indies were next due to face the USA in Bridgetown, Barbados, while England prepared to take on South Africa in Saint Lucia.
