West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran (82) had the best score of his career but the hosts struggled with the ball. The five-match series now moves to Trinidad and Tobago for the final two matches on December 19 and 21, both starting at 10pm.
by Umm Ayman Babar, a sports journalist
21:55 UK time, Saturday 16 December 2023
England opener Phil Salt smashed a historic 109 not out to lead the tourists to a seven-wicket win over the West Indies in the third T20 International.
Salt hit his maiden T20 ton in 51 balls as England raced to 226-3 and completed the highest successful run chase at the Grenada National Cricket Ground to keep the series alive.
England captain Jos Buttler and Salt got off to a blistering start as they shared a brilliant opening stand that lasted 115 runs.
The visitors needed 21 runs from the final over and Harry Brook (31 runs) smashed successive sixes at extra cover and fine leg to help lead England to a stunning win.
Earlier, Nicholas Pooran (82) led the charge for West Indies after smashing the best score of his career in a T20I to help the hosts to 222-6.
England’s Adil Rashid (2-32) was the pick of the bowlers as he dismissed Pooran and Shai Hope (26).
West Indies batsmen lead the attack
Comprehensive England Moeen Ali (1-26) scored in the first half to dismiss the dangerous Brandon King (Eight) Early with birth that seized the torso, turned and scattered.
King punished Moeen’s previous two balls through backward point and mid-off for four but struggled to reach double figures after top-scoring with an unbeaten 82 in the second T20 on Thursday.
Reece Topley (1-32), who was replacing Chris Woakes, also struck in his first spell to remove Kyle Mayers (0) for a duck with a backhand delivery that kissed the top of his bat and flew into Buttler’s gloves to leave the home side 8-2 up in the second.
Shai Hope (26) and Pooran (82) got things under control as they shared a 54-run partnership, but the former, after hitting two sixes and one boundary, was dismissed by Rashid (2-32). Hope tried to clear an aerial delivery from the English leg-spinner but lofted it into the cow corner as Salt took a catch over his head.
Pooran brought up his 11th T20I half-century off 37 deliveries after sweeping a googly off Rashid to number three and also smashed six boundaries and six sixes during his outing.
West Indies captain Rofman Powell (39) looked to attack immediately but his boundaries were halted by some brilliant delivery from Jos Atkinson, who leaped high to throw the ball back into the field and block a six.
Powell smashed three sixes and two boundaries before bowling a bouncer off Sam Curran (2-34) high and into Buttler’s gloves.
Curran had Shirvan Rutherford (29), who was replacing Shimron Hetmyer, who was caught by Salt at long-on in the 19th over but not before the 25-year-old hit the previous ball for six at long-on.
Some late knocks from Andre Russell (8 no) and Jason Holder (18 no) helped take West Indies from a modest 197-6 to 222-6.
West Indies fail to make a breakthrough in the run chase
Buttler edged a short ball from Russell to deep backward square leg as Akhil Hossain (0-44) and Alzarri Joseph completed a brilliant succession. The momentum of the ball pushed Hussain over the rope but he threw the ball to Yousef who met him with a good leg.
Gudakesh Moti (1-30) struck in the 13th over to remove Wheeljack (one) with a long ball that went past West Indies wicket-keeper Pooran.
England managed to stay within run rate throughout their innings but still needed 31 runs from the last three overs after Liam Livingstone (30) was caught by Powell at long-on.
However, the pressure did not seem to faze Brook who fired his first ball down the ground for a six off Jason Holder (1-52).
Salt’s cameo included four boundaries and nine sixes as he shared an unbeaten 40-run partnership with Brook, the latter eventually smashing a wide delivery from Russell for a six to seal the deal.
Salt: We talked about someone standing as the winner of the match
Player of the Match Phil Salt:
“It feels like a long time coming in an England shirt. It’s great to do it now, especially with them being able to go into the series today.
“We were talking as a group about who stands up and wins the game, and how much time do you have.
“We tried to get it down to 60 or 70 points the last five, and that’s what we did, and Brock came in and finished it off at the end.”
Powell: The Windies gave it a fair chance
West Indies Captain Rofman Powell:
“Obviously it’s disappointing to score 220 goals and lose, but the lads gave it a fair chance.
“We have quality players on the field to do the job. It’s a shame it didn’t come out today.
“It’s just up to us to sit down and take the flight tomorrow and make plans. I think the plans are still very good against these English batsmen.”
What then?
The five-match series now moves to Trinidad and Tobago for the final two matches on December 19 and 21, both starting at 10pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW
In a thrilling match between England and West Indies, Phil Salt’s impressive century led the tourists to a remarkable seven-wicket victory. The high-scoring game kept fans on the edge of their seats as Salt’s exceptional performance helped secure the win for his team. The match showcased the fierce competition between the two cricketing giants, and Salt’s outstanding contribution was a standout moment in the game. This victory will undoubtedly be celebrated by the touring team and serve as a testament to their skill and determination on the field.