Records fall in the Caribbean as England level West Indies series in style

Thursday, 21 December 2023 01:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Phil Salt celebrates

A host of records fell on an historic day in Trinidad as in-form opener Phil Salt inspired England to a series-equalling 75-run triumph over the West Indies on Tuesday.

Salt smashed 10 sixes as he became the first men’s batter from England to score multiple T20I centuries with 119 from just 57 deliveries as England amassed their highest T20I total ever (267/3) on their way to an emphatic victory that levelled the five-match series at two wins apiece ahead of the series decider on Thursday.

Skipper Jos Buttler (55) and all-rounder Liam Livingstone (54) hit half-centuries in the rout as the reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions amassed a massive total that broke a bevy of records.

England scored the highest T20I total by any side in the Caribbean and the highest total by any side against the West Indies as well. England scored the fifth highest total in men’s T20I history.

Salt’s record-breaking innings broke the following records: Highest individual score by an England men’s player in T20Is, surpassing Alex Hales’ 116; became the first England men’s batter to have scored multiple T20I centuries and broke the record for the most sixes by a men’s player from England in T20Is with 10.

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell (51) hit a quick-fire half-century of his own in reply, but the West Indies lost wickets in quick succession and never seriously threatened England’s massive total.

The two teams will be back in action at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday for the series decider in the fifth and final match of what has been an exciting series thus far.