Phil Salt and England fire warning shot to T20 World Cup challengers

England put the uncertainty of the group stage of the T20 World Cup firmly behind them as they crushed co-hosts West Indies in their Super Eight match in St Lucia to re-energise their title defence.

England's bowlers showed remarkable skills to restrict West Indies to 180-4 on a belter of a pitch where the Windies had earlier scored 218 against Afghanistan on Monday. The target was many levels below par, which became evident as opener Phil Salt smashed 87 from 47 balls to help chase down the target inside 18 overs and with eight wickets in hand.

England had dragged the game in their favour with some excellent death bowling from Jofra Archer (1-34) and Adil Rashid (1-21), who took a combined 2-6 from the 16th and 17th overs.

Nicholas Pooran (36 off 32) and Johnson Charles (38 off 34) were uncharacteristically slow for large part of the innings. The co-hosts were then undone by a mixture of Archer's precise yorkers and Rashid's nagging leg-spin at the Daren Sammy Stadium.

Salt then led a fearless pursuit in front of a packed house with Bairstow's unbeaten 48 from 26 balls making things safe.

A game that had seemed to hang in the balance for long stages was effectively put to bed in a furious 16th over assault by Salt, who hit Romario Shepherd for three sixes and three fours as he helped himself to 30 runs in a few dazzling moments.

England eased to a target of 181 with 15 balls remaining, Salt finishing 87 not out as he smashed five sixes and seven fours.

Phil's As