Top-order helps England outbat WI

ANTIGUA (Caribbean Islands): A powerful batting display by England’s top order was enough to start the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage on a winning note in Gros Islet Wednesday.

The run chase was led by Phil Salt (87 not out) as England hit up 181-run winning target set by West Indies in the 18th over with eight wickets to spare courtesy of some clinical batting display.

The defending champions England were in full flow following some close calls during the first stage. West Indies par score of 180 looked easier to chase as Salt and Bairstow put up 97 runs for the undefeated third wicket stand to settle the matter.

Man of the Match Salt struck five sixes and seven fours during his 47-ball undefeated knock that saw him striking some serious blows to upstage West Indies bowling that lacked depth. Earlier, Adil Rashid (1-21) and Moeen Ali (1-19) bowled well to restrict West Indies to 180-4. Johnson Charles (38), Nicholas Pooran (36) and Rovman Powell (36) all got going but none stayed long enough to make a real impact and take the team past 200 which was possible considering the condition of the pitch.

Powell who struck three sixes to Livingstone in one over looked like spoiling England’s party but was held at short third man by Mark Wood to curtail West Indies run flow. Adil Rashid’s exceptional bowling during the middle period worked wonders for England.

“He is our best pick when it comes to taking wickets. He has been doing so for quite some time now. Adil-led bowling attack kept WI’s powerful batting line-up in check during middle-overs which helped England cause,” Jos Buttler said.

West Indies captain Ravman Powell rued missing an opportunity in an effort to cross 200. “We were 20 to 25 runs short that resulted in easy target for England. We need to be at the top of form during the next two games to earn a spot in the semis,” Powell said.

England won the toss

West Indies 1st innings

King Retired Hurt 23

Charles c Harry b Moeen 38

Pooran c Buttler b Archer 36

Powell c Wood b Livingstone 36

Russell c Salt b Rashid 01

Rutherford not out 28

Shepherd not out 05

Extras: 2b 1lb 0nb 0pen 10w 13

Total: (20.0 overs) 180-4

Fall of wickets : 1-94 Charles, 2-137 Powell, 3-141 Pooran, 4-143 Russell

Bowling: Reece Topley 3-0-26-0, Mark Wood 3-0-36-0, Jofra Archer 4-0-34-1, Sam Curran 3-0-25-0, Adil Rashid 4-0-21-1, Moeen Ali 2-0-15-1, Liam Living

stone 1-0-20-1

England 1st innings

Salt not out 87

Buttler lbw Roston 25

Ali c Johnson b Andre 13

Bairstow not out 48

Extras: 0b 1lb 0nb 0pen 7w 8

Total: (17.3 overs) 181-2

Fall of wickets : 1-67 Buttler, 2-84 Ali

Bowling: Akeal Hosein 4-0-35-0, Romario Shepherd 2-0-41-0, Andre Russell 2-0-21-1, Alzarri Joseph 2.3-0-32-0, Roston Chase 3-0-19-1

Result: England win by 8 wickets

Player of the match: Phil Salt

Umpire: Ahsan Raza, Nitin Menon