England opener Phil Salt again played a stunning inning as the visitors won the fourth T20 International at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday night. Chasing a record 268 after the right-handed Salt carved out an astonishing 119 off 57 balls, West Indies fell short and were bowled out for 192 all out in the 16th over.
This gave England victory by 75 runs as they leveled the series 2-2. This means that the fifth and final match on Thursday will be the series decider at the same venue – with the winner taking the trophy. First ball is 4pm (3pm Jamaica Time).
Sent in, England made a great start as Salt hit seven fours and ten sixes as he laid the foundation for his side’s record total of 267-3. He put on 117 for the first wicket with captain Jos Buttler who struck 55 off 29 balls with six fours and three sixes, the pair posting their second consecutive century stand.
Salt, who also made a match-winning century in the third match last Saturday, put on a further 56 for the second wicket with Will Jacks (24) before adding 73 for the third wicket with Liam Livingstone whose unbeaten 54 came from 21 balls and included four fours and four sixes.
When West Indies batted, Nicholas Pooran (39) and fellow left-hander Sherfane Rutherford (36) produced explosive knocks but did not carry on. Andre Russell, the experienced allrounder, entered at the back-end of the innings and flexed his muscles with a rapid 51 off 25 balls which included five towering sixes.
“Credit has to be given where credit is due. I think Phil Salt and Jos (Buttler) batted really well upfront. Having said that, we didn’t hit our plans but those things do happen. Thursday gives us an opportunity to come and do better,”
said West Indies captain Rovman Powell.
“The boys like a final, it seems. We’ll come Thursday with brand-new ideas, brand-new plans, and see how best we can entertain our fans at home.”
-CWI [https://www.windiescricket.com/news/]
