Phil Salt Shines As England Beat West Indies

Phil Salt smashed an unbeaten 103 off 54 balls as England chased down 183 in just 16.5 overs to beat West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20 international in Barbados.

The tourists will have been frustrated in allowing the West Indies tail to wag, with the hosts rallying from 117-8 in the 15th over to 182-9 after Jos Buttler had won the toss.

Romario Shepherd (35no off 22 balls) and Gudakesh Motie (33 off 14) put on 49 for the ninth wicket, with West Indies adding 65 off the final 5.2 overs.

But Salt's blistering batting display - the opener hitting nine boundaries and six sixes in his third T20I ton - plus a maiden half century for Jacob Bethell (58no off 36) saw England to an emphatic victory to open the five-match series.

One sour note in England's success was the dismissal of returning skipper Buttler for a first-ball duck, caught at deep third to an admittedly stunning grab by Motie.

Saqib Mahmood starred early on, returning career-best figures for England of 4-34 as he ripped through the West Indies top order with three quick wickets.

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