England made a promising begin to their Tremendous Eight marketing campaign of the T20 World Cup 2024 because the defending champions thrashed West Indies within the opening match. Requested to bat first, West Indies additionally had day with the bat as they posted a complete of 180/4 in 20 overs. Nonetheless, the goal wasn’t sufficient because the Three Lions chased it down in simply 17.3 overs with eight wickets in hand. Opening batter Phil Salt was the star batter for England as he performed a blistering knock of 87* off simply 47 balls.
Salt’s knock comprised of seven boundaries and 5 maximums. Nonetheless, considered one of his sixes, which got here in opposition to his Kolkata Knight Riders teammate Andre Russell‘s slower-one, turned the foremost spotlight of the day.
Within the 4th over of England’s chase, Salt hammered a robust down the bottom shot, which went over Russell’s head. The shot went for a 100m lengthy six and touched the roof high of the stadium.
Coming off a scorching show in opposition to Afghanistan, West Indies amassed a aggressive 180 for 4, however England waltzed to 181 for 2 in 17.3 overs of their Group 2 match.
Salt led their cost with a bruising innings that got here off 47 balls with seven fours and 5 sixes. The opener acquired copious assist from Jonny Bairstow (48*).
“I like batting right here, however I am extra blissful to have contributed to group win. It was robust in opposition to spin within the center overs, however I knew tempo would come at some stage, the wind was blowing at one finish, there was one quick boundary and I backed myself to tackle him (on his 30-run over in opposition to Shepherd),” mentioned Salt after the victory.
“There was a interval the place I did not face too many balls, the boundaries had dried up, however Jonny (Bairstow) took the stress off me together with his calculated hitting, his knock was very essential,” he added.
England will now be squaring off in opposition to South Africa for his or her subsequent Tremendous 8s conflict on Friday whereas West Indies will tackle USA on Saturday (IST).
(With PTI Inputs)
Subjects talked about on this article
