Choosing to bowl first in a high-stakes Super Over match, Jos Buttler’s decision quickly backfired as the West Indies top-order dominated, accumulating 41 runs in four overs after a couple of cautious opening overs, finishing with a 54-run powerplay. Nicholas Pooran retired hurt with a groin injury, making way for Brandon King, who continued the onslaught.
The right-left batting combination notched up 28 runs, reaching 82 without loss at the ten-over mark. England finally got a breakthrough seven balls later when Moeen Ali dismissed Charles in the 12th over, followed by a tight three-run over from Adil Rashid that applied pressure on the hosts.
However, Rovman Powell counterattacked, smashing three sixes off Liam Livingstone, before being dismissed, leaving the score at 137 for 2 in 15 overs. The next two overs yielded just six runs, with Archer and Rashid removing the dangerous Pooran and Andre Russell respectively.
Sherfane Rutherford’s late fireworks helped West Indies score 37 runs in the final three overs, pushing the total to 180 for 4. In response, England got off to a blistering start as Jos Buttler and Phil Salt combined caution with aggression, racking up 58 runs in the six-over powerplay, with the even-numbered overs producing more than ten runs each.
Roston Chase capitalized on Gudakesh Motie’s economical over by trapping Buttler lbw. With the score at 83 for 1 after ten overs, Andre Russell returned for his second over and outfoxed Moeen Ali in the 11th. Jonny Bairstow then took control of the game alongside Phil Salt, scoring 30 runs in two overs, pushing England’s total to 141 for 2 at the 15-over mark.
Phil's As𝗦𝗔u𝗟𝗧! ⚡
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 20, 2024
Back-to-back sixes from #PhilSalt ensured the defending champions cruised smoothly in this run chase! 👊🏻
Don't miss the action in the 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝟖 – World Cup ka Super Stage 👉 #AFGvIND | TODAY, 6 PM | #T20WorldCupOnStar | #WIvENG pic.twitter.com/YJ4uagluet
With 40 runs needed from the last five overs, captain Rovman Powell brought Romario Shepherd back, but Phil Salt counterattacked, smashing 30 runs off the 16th over, reducing the target to nine needed from 24 balls. The duo completed the chase in nine balls, securing their first win in Group 2 of the Super Eight.
