Salt and Brook bash keeps England's series hopes alive in the West Indies
Set an improbable 223 to win in St. George’s, Salt blazed 109* off just 56 balls opening the batting, putting on 115 for the first wicket in just 11.2 overs, combining with Jos Buttler who made 51 (34) at the other end.
Despite the loss of Buttler and Will Jacks (1) soon after, Salt was helped by Liam Livingstone (30 off 18 balls), and finally Brook who blazed 24 runs off the final over to win with a ball remaining.
Brook hit three sixes, a four and a two in the final over bowled by Andre Russell, to finish on 31* from just seven deliveries.
Russell had gone for just 26 in his first three overs, taking the wicket of Buttler earlier in the innings, though finished with figures of 1/50 (4) after Brook's exploits. Brook’s final six took the total match tally of sixes to 34, the second-most ever in a men’s T20I, only bettered by West Indies’ meeting with South Africa in Centurion earlier in the year. The match aggregate of 448 runs was also the ninth-highest in the history of men’s T20Is.
England’s win leaves the best of five series in an interesting position, with West Indies leading 2-1 with two games to play.
Earlier, the hosts looked in command after Nicholas Pooran’s stunning 82 from just 45 balls, countering impressively with his side 8/2 to begin their innings. Rovman Powell (39), Sherfane Rutherford (29) and Shai Hope’s 26 ensured the work did not go to waste, with Jason Holder’s 18* from just five deliveries lifting the West Indies to 222/6.
Adil Rashid (2/32 off four overs) and Reece Topley (1/32 off four overs) were the only bowlers to stay at eight an over, and their work in the runfest proved valuable. Left-arm orthodox spinner Gudakesh Motie (1/30 off four overs) was the only West Indies bowler to finish with an economy of better than eight, as the English bludgeoned 18 sixes in their successful chase.
The teams travel to Trinidad for the fourth and fifth T20I on Tuesday and Thursday evening local time.