Ashes villain Jonny Bairstow stars in scorching batting display as England take down West Indies
England have toppled the West Indies in their first match of the Super Eight stage, with the defending T20 World Cup champions cruising home against the host nation.
Opening batter Phil Salt scorched to 87 not out off 47 balls, while Ashes villain Jonny Bairstow blasted an unbeaten 48 from 26 deliveries in an eight-wicket win.
The result marked the West Indies’ first loss of the tournament and their first defeat in their past eight T20 international fixtures.
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The hosts finished with a strong total of 4-180 batting first, but England managed to fly to victory with 15 balls remaining in their innings.
Bairstow and Salt walk from the field after their Super Eight victory. ICC via Getty Images
Salt blasted seven fours and five sixes and he was well-supported at the end by Bairstow, who continues to show his class in white-ball cricket.
“I’m not looking too far ahead at the minute, just glad that I could contribute to a good team win,” Salt said post-game.
“It was a little bit tougher in the middle overs with the spin."
In the other Super Eight clash on Thursday, South Africa had to work hard to earn an 18-run win over the fast-improving United States
Quinton de Kock scored an impressive 74 off 40 balls at the top of the order for South Africa as they cruised towards a total of 4/194 from their innings.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed 3-18 in a trademark display with the ball as the co-host nation fell 18 runs short of their target.
Kagiso Rabada celebrates a wicket against the United States. Getty
“Pretty happy with the performance as a whole," skipper Aiden Markram said.
“A couple of overs here and there we need to tidy up … but the wicket definitely changes and gets a bit slower."
Andries Gous made an unbeaten 80 off 47 balls for the Americans to move atop the batting charts at the World Cup, but the Proteas restricted them to a total of 6-176.
