BRIDGETOWN: An imperious century from Phil Salt helped England secure an eight-wicket win over West Indies in the first T20 international of a five-match series in Barbados on Saturday despite skipper Jos Buttler disappointing on his return from injury.
Winning his first toss after a four-month injury absence, Buttler put the hosts in to bat first, with big-hitting lower order cameos from Gudakesh Motie and Romario Shepherd helping West Indies set an imposing 183 to win.
Salt’s super unbeaten innings, which included six sixes to all corners of the ground, was backed up by Jacob Bethell’s maiden T20 half-century, after Buttler had fallen for a golden duck, to see England through to an impressive victory.
After beating England 2-1 in the one-day series, West Indies will hope to complete a T20 turnaround, with the second of five matches scheduled for Sunday back at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval.