When England roared past West Indies at Kensington Oval on 9 November 2024, the headline belonged to Phil Salt. The English opener blasted 103 runs off just 54 balls, steering his side to an eight‑wicket victory and a 1‑0 lead in the five‑match T20I series.
Context: England’s Caribbean Tour
The clash was the opening game of the England tour of West Indies 2024Barbados. The tour, billed as crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, pits two of cricket’s most flair‑driven sides against one another across five venues from Barbados to Trinidad. England entered the series on the back of a mixed summer season, while the West Indies hoped to revive their home‑crowd advantage after a string of disappointing outings.
Captain Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to field, a decision that would soon pay dividends. The Caribbean night sky was clear, the temperature a pleasant 28 °C, and a buzz of anticipation filled the stands as fans waited to see whether the West Indian batting line‑up could post a defendable total.
First Innings: West Indies’ 182/9
The West Indies got off to a shaky start. Brandon King fell for 11 after just 1.5 overs, followed by early dismissals of Evin Lewis (18) and Shimron Hetmyer (18). The most resilient effort came from Romario Powell, who struck 59 before being run‑out on 6.2 overs.
Middle‑order contributions were thin: Sherfane Rutherford added 11, while the veteran Nicholas Pooran topped the chart with a brisk 38 off 29 balls, the highest individual score of the innings.
Bowling for England was spearheaded by Saqib Mahmood, who returned figures of 4‑34, breaking the rhythm of the Caribbean batsmen. Spinner Adil Rashid chipped in with 3‑32, keeping the run‑rate in check. West Indies posted 182/9 after 20 overs, a competitive total but one that England’s deep batting order felt confident about chasing.
Second Innings: England’s 183/2
England’s chase was anything but ordinary. Opening the innings, Phil Salt struck a rapid 40 in the first 24 balls, sharing a 50‑run first‑wicket stand with Will Jacks. Salt’s tempo didn’t let up; by the end of the mandatory powerplay (overs 1‑6) England were already 73/1.
At 9.3 overs, the scoreboard read 100/2, and the momentum was clearly with the visitors. The third‑wicket partnership between Salt and Jacob Bethell added another 50 runs off 36 balls, with Bethell hitting his maiden T20I fifty – 58 off 36, including five fours and two sixes.
Salt’s innings accelerated further, and he reached the coveted T20I century with a boundary that sent the Barbados crowd into a roar. He finished on 103 off 54 deliveries, boasting nine fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 190.74. England wrapped up the chase in just 16.5 overs, finishing 183/2 with 3 overs to spare.
The result earned Salt the Player of the Match award, and the win gave England a comfortable 1‑0 lead, setting the tone for the remaining four games scheduled across the Caribbean.
Statistical Snapshot
- England’s chase: 183/2 in 16.5 overs (3 overs remaining)
- Phil Salt’s century: 103 off 54 balls, SR 190.74
- Jacob Bethell’s maiden T20I fifty: 58 off 36 balls
- Saqib Mahmood’s bowling: 4‑34 (economy 8.50)
- West Indies total: 182/9 (run‑rate 9.10)
Reactions from the Pitch
“We knew the pitch would bite a bit, but the bounce was perfect for our hitters,” said England’s coach Matthew Mott after the match. “Phil’s century was a dream – he backed his hands and the rest of the team flew with him.”
West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted disappointment but remained optimistic: “We gave them a decent total, but the early wickets cost us. The bowlers, especially Akeal Hosein, kept us in the hunt. We’ll regroup for the second T20.”
Match officials – umpires Leslie Reifer and Zahid Bassarath, with referee Sir Richie Richardson – praised the quality of play, noting the “high‑octane finish” that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
What This Means for the Series
England’s emphatic win does more than just give them a points cushion; it demonstrates depth in the middle order and the ability to chase under pressure. For the West Indies, the loss highlights a need to tighten the top order and perhaps recalibrate their death‑over strategies, where runs conceded ran high (Shamar Joseph’s 45 in three overs, for instance).
Both teams will use the remaining matches as a dress rehearsal for the ICC T20 World Cup slated for June 2025. England, having secured a strong start, will look to cement their batting dominance, while the West Indies must bounce back quickly to avoid a series whitewash and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Looking Ahead
The second T20I is set for 13 November 2024 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. All eyes will be on whether the West Indies can adjust their batting approach and whether England’s bowlers can maintain the pressure they applied early on.
Meanwhile, fans can expect a packed itinerary: three more games across the Caribbean, each offering a different pitch profile and a fresh opportunity for both sides to showcase their T20 mettle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Phil Salt’s century affect England’s chances in the series?
Salt’s 103 gives England a psychological edge and a clear benchmark for the rest of the batting line‑up. It shows they can chase 180+ in less than 17 overs, a crucial skill for the upcoming World Cup. The performance also boosts his confidence heading into the next four matches, where runs will be needed consistently.
What were the key factors behind West Indies’ defeat?
Early wickets disrupted the top order, and the middle‑order failed to build a partnership beyond 50 runs. In addition, their death bowling leaked runs at an economy above 13, making the chase look easy for England. A more disciplined approach in the powerplay and tighter bowling at the death could have kept them in the game.
Who were the standout bowlers for England?
Saqib Mahmood led with four wickets for 34 runs, breaking crucial partnerships. Spinner Adil Rashid added three wickets, while the support from the likes of Mark Wood and Jonny Bairstow kept the run rate in check during the middle overs.
When and where is the next T20I being played?
The second match of the series is scheduled for 13 November 2024 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Kick‑off is slated for 7:00 PM local time.
What does this result mean for the West Indies’ World Cup preparations?
The loss puts added pressure on the West Indies to tighten both batting and bowling ahead of the World Cup. Their coaching staff will likely review the powerplay strategies and death‑over plans, while batting captain Shai Hope will aim to restore confidence among the middle order before the tournament.
