T20 WC: Phil Salt Jonny Bairstow and bowlers star in England's comfortable Super 8 win vs West Indies

Defending champions England ended co-hosts West Indies' unbeaten run in the ongoing T20 World Cup with a big eight-wicket win in the second game of the Super 8s, in St Lucia on Wednesday (June 19, local time).



the Rovman Powell-lWI for 180 for 4, England rode on opener Phil Salt's unbeaten 87 and Jonny Bairstow's 48* to guide their side to a comfortable win in 17.3 overs.


Opting to bowl first, Jos Buttler- England were eyeing early wickets. WI opener Brandan King started off confidently, with a 101 metre six, before walking out due to a groin pull. Jonathan Charles and Nicholas Pooran, at No. 3, took their time to settle in as WI were 82 for no loss at the halfway mark. Moeen Ali dismissed Charles for a 34-ball 38 before captain Powell (17-ball 36) struck three sixes off a single Livingstone over but was dismissed while trying for a fourth. Pooran (36) and Andre Russell also departed soon before Sherfane Rutherford's 15-ball 28* propelled his side to a par score, i.e. 180/4.



WI only managed 53 runs, for the loss of two wickets, in the last five overs as Jofra Archer (1 for 34) and Adil Rashid (1 for 21) kept it tight for England.


 England openers Buttler and Salt gave their side a perfect start navigating through the powerplays in style. While the wicketkeeper-captain fell for a 22-ball 25, off Roston Chase, and vice-captain Moeen Ali, promoted at No. 3, departed for 13, England never looked in trouble due to their timely hits. From WI, Akeal Hosein and Chase were economical but the likes of Romario Shepherd, Russell and Alzarri Joseph went for plenty as the hosts ended their eight-match winning streak in T20Is.

Salt timed his inning perfectly and shifted gears to wrap up the run-chase in a flash. His inning was laced with 7 fours and 5 sixes, at a strike-rate of 185.11. Meanwhile, Bairstow -- at No. 4 -- looked fluent from the moment he came in and struck at all parts of the ground. He stitched an unbroken 97-run third-wicket stand with Salt as England made a strong statement in their opening Super 8 encounter.