Impressive England beat West Indies to start Super 8s

T20 World Cup, St Lucia

West Indies 180-4 (20 overs): Charles 38 (34), Powell 36 (17); Moeen 1-15

England 181-2 (17.3 overs): Salt 87* (47), Bairstow 48* (26)

England won by 8 wickets

Scorecard. Tables

England produced their champion capacity of nan T20 World Cup truthful acold to statesman nan Super 8s shape pinch a composed eight-wicket triumph against West Indies.

Having cannily restricted nan antecedently unbeaten co-hosts to 180-4 connected a bully pitch, nan defending champions completed nan pursuit pinch 15 balls to spare.

Phil Salt batted done for a good 87 not retired while Jonny Bairstow made 48 not retired to adhd impetus aft nan nonaccomplishment of Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali.

With 70 needed from 7 overs, Bairstow struck a six and a 4 earlier hitting 15 of nan 16 runs successful nan adjacent complete bowled by spinner Akeal Hosein.

Salt past collapsed an complete from seamer Romario Shepherd for 30 runs arsenic England won astatine a canter and, possibly significantly, boosted their nett run-rate.

They play South Africa successful little than 48 hours, knowing a triumph will apt seal their progression to nan semi-finals.

After that they still person a gathering pinch nan tournament's astonishment package, nan United States, pinch nan apical 2 sides successful nan group progressing.

England’s group shape was a mixed container pinch a washout, conclusion by Australia and 2 rain-affected wins against Namibia and Oman which meant they only edged done courtesy of their nett run-rate.

This performance, against 1 of nan tourney favourites, was Buttler's broadside backmost to thing approaching their very best.

West Indies were unbeaten successful 8 T20s but their powerful batting line-up was kept successful cheque and past nan people knocked disconnected pinch comparative ease.

The only wobble came erstwhile Buttler fell lbw to Roston Chase for 25, having put connected a measured opening guidelines of 67 pinch Salt, and Moeen picked retired heavy mid-wicket disconnected Andre Russell, having been promoted to onslaught West Indies spinners.

But Bairstow took complaint arsenic Salt’s scoring slowed, pulling Alzarri Joseph for six and past ramping him complete nan keeper.

That swung nan momentum and Salt reignited pinch a sadistic battle of Shepherd, including 2 large consecutive sixes.

After each of nan doubts, England abruptly looked for illustration contenders again.