Phil Salt powered an excellent century to take England to a commanding eight-wicket victory over West Indies within the first T20 in Barbados.
After a disappointing defeat within the one-day worldwide sequence, Salt struck an unbeaten 103 off 54 balls on the island he used to name dwelling as England cruised to a pursuit of 183.
It was the opener’s third T20 hundred for England – all three of which have come towards West Indies previously 12 months.
He crashed his first 50 runs in simply 25 balls as England took 73 from the primary six overs for the lack of solely Will Jacks for 17.
Captain Jos Buttler was sensationally caught for a golden duck on his return to the aspect after 4 months out injured however Salt continued, dropping down the gears with the required run-rate underneath management, as England pulled off the best T20 chase on the Kensington Oval with 19 balls to spare.
Jacob Bethell, one other with Bajan roots, completed unbeaten on 58 from 36 balls alongside Salt, within the course of turning into the youngest man to hit a T20 fifty for England, aged 21.
Earlier, West Indies made their imposing whole in exceptional vogue, reaching 183-9 regardless of falling to 18-3 and 117-8.
They managed an extra 65 runs within the final 5.2 overs after the eighth wicket fell, with quantity 10 Gukadesh Motie, who later produced the gorgeous catch to dismiss Buttler, flogging 33 from 14 balls.
That got here as England misplaced their grip regardless of a robust begin to the innings, with Saqib Mahmood taking 4-34 and Adil Rashid 3-32.
The second of 5 T20s begins on Sunday on the similar floor from 20:00 GMT.
England will wait on the health of Reece Topley, who left the sector visibly emotional after jarring his knee halfway via his third over – the most recent blow to a bowler who has had a merciless run of accidents all through his profession.
