Defending Champions Cruise Past Co-Hosts in Dominant Display

June 20th, 2024 – Gros Islet, St. Lucia

England’s formidable batting lineup was in full flow as they thrashed West Indies by eight wickets in the Super Eight round of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Led by a devastating 87* from Phil Salt and an unbeaten 48 from Jonny Bairstow, the defending champions made light work of their 181-run target, securing victory with 15 deliveries to spare.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, England produced a clinical bowling display to restrict the hosts to 180/4. Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 1/21 from his four overs. Rovman Powell’s 36-ball 36 studded with three sixes provided the late impetus for West Indies, but it ultimately proved insufficient.

“This commanding performance sets the tone for England’s title defense, as they showcased their batting prowess on a batting-friendly pitch in Gros Islet. The result will serve as a strong statement of intent to the rest of the teams in the Super Eight stage.”

In reply, England’s openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt got their side off to a solid start, putting on 67 for the first wicket. Despite the early loss of Buttler and Moeen Ali, Salt anchored the chase, finding an able partner in Bairstow. The duo’s unbeaten 97-run stand firmly tilted the scales in England’s favor, with Salt unleashing a brutal assault on Romario Shepherd in the 18th over, smashing 30 runs.

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