Phil Salt ensures England can perfect Super 8s start with big win in West Indies

West Indies powered their way to 180 for 4 despite a good bowling show from England, before the visitors chased it down comfortably with 15 balls to spare behind an unbeaten 87 from Phil Salt

St Lucia: West Indies 180-4, England 181-2 – England won by eight wickets

Phil Salt’s 87 not out helped England make a perfect start in the Super 8s as they defeated hosts West Indies by eight wickets in St Lucia.

West Indies powered their way to 180 for 4 despite a good bowling show from England, before the visitors chased it down comfortably with 15 balls to spare.

Contributions in the thirties from Johnson Charles (38), Nicholas Pooran (36) and Rovman Powell (36) helped propel the hosts to 180 for 4 after opener Brandon King had to retire injured on 23 off 13 after a solid start to the match . power play.

England had to wait until the 12th over for their first wicket when Moeen Ali (1 for 15) had Charles caught long on. Three wickets in as many overs to get Powell, dismissed by Liam Livingstone after being hit for 20 runs in the over, Andre Russell (1) against Adil Rashid (1 for 21) and Jofra Archer dismissing Nicholas Pooran as part of an over that going for just four, helped keep the momentum going.

Related: England prepared to “take a little medicine” against the fearsome West Indies

Brandon King made an excellent start before having to retire injured due to a side strain (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

England started the chase strongly and scored 58 for 0 after six overs, the highest powerplay score against the West Indies in this World Cup.

Captain Jos Buttler (25 off 22 balls) was the first to fall when he was trapped by Roston Chase after putting on 67 for the opening partnership. Moeen (13) was promoted to No. 3 against the West Indies spinners but was dismissed by Russell after being caught on the square-leg boundary.

Salt, who reached fifty after 37 balls, and Jonny Bairstow (48 not out) forged a match-winning partnership of 97 off 44 balls.

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The England opener appeared to struggle to maintain his powerplay momentum before switching over Romario Sheperd’s 30 to put the match firmly under England’s control.

It was a statement win against a form side as England showed their title-winning credentials.

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