England won the third game of their five-match Twenty20 series in the West Indies by seven wickets with a ball to spare on Saturday, due to Phil Salt’s unbeaten 109 in a massive run chase in St George’s, Grenada.
England skipper Jos Buttler put the hosts in to bat, and they produced 222-6 thanks to Nicholas Pooran’s 82 off 45 deliveries.
Salt went all guns blazing with nine sixes and four boundaries in pursuit of a record T20I score at the National Cricket Stadium, compiling a 115-run opening stand with Buttler (51) before Harry Brook (31 off seven) capped things off in style with a six.
With two matches remaining, the West Indies lead the series 2-1.
“A fantastic win to keep the series alive.” “Anytime you chase 220, it’s a fantastic innings – kudos to Phil Salt,” Buttler added.
“Phil Salt has shown remarkable intent from the first ball. It’s something we’ve asked him to do, but if he can continue on and stay in the game a little longer, you’d be surprised how much he can accomplish in the end.”
The opening combination appeared to be on track to lead England to victory until Buttler was caught in the deep shortly after reaching his half-century, thanks to some wonderful teamwork for a relay catch.
Buttler’s top edge was grabbed off Andre Russell near the rope by Akeal Hosein, and just as his momentum threatened to take him over, he passed the ball to Alzarri Joseph, who completed the catch.
Will Jacks retired without hurting the scorers, while Gudakesh Motie slowed England’s scoring rate with 1-30 in four overs, leaving the tourists to chase 83 in the final five overs.
But Liam Livingstone supplied some impetus with his own fireworks, while Salt scored a century in 51 balls, becoming only the fifth Englishman to do so, to offer England hope.
When Livingstone (30 off 18) left, Harry Brook came in and hit four sixes, including three in Andre Russell’s penultimate over when they needed 21 to win.
Earlier in the first innings, England got off to a great start when Brandon King, the Caribbean team’s hero from the previous game, was out for eight runs and his opening partner Kyle Mayers was out for a duck.
Pooran, on the other hand, was looking for a big score and cleared the ropes six times to go with his six boundaries, ably assisted by skipper Rovman Powell (39) who struck three sixes.