WI VS ENG 1ST T20I

Right then, the first game of this long T20I series is done and dusted and it's advantage England early on, especially with the manner of this win but there's a long way to go. The next game will be played at the same venue and less than 24 hours later on Sunday, 10 November at 8 pm GMT. You can join us a lot sooner though for the build-up to that game. Cheers!

The captain of England, Jos Buttler says that it was a fantastic performance and he is really delighted for the boys. Mentions that they know what to expect from West Indies and it is important that you keep taking wickets. Further says that if you allow the West Indies batters to spend time out in the middle, they can really hurt you. Appreciates Phil Salt by saying that he has taken his game to new heights and he is reaping the rewards of the work he has put in. Mentions that the wicket was a bit two-paced early on and he is glad that they could strike early with the ball in the Powerplay. Ends by saying that the message to the boys has been to go out there and enjoy themselves.

Rovman Powell, the captain of West Indies says that it is generally the way they play but it didn't come off tonight and yet they managed to get a decent total on board. Reckons that losing wickets in clusters is something they need to fix going forward and they still need to back themselves and play their brand of cricket. Adds that it is about the guys working on their individual skills with the ball and applauds Akeal Hosein for his tight bowling. Ends by appreciating the crowd as well.

Phil Salt is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stunning ton. He says that he enjoys batting here and has grown up playing on these surfaces. Mentions that it is important to adjust quickly to meet the demands of the tempo of T20 cricket. Shares that opening and closing of the grip have helped access different areas of the field. Lauds Jacob Bethell by saying he is a huge talent and hopes he continues to do well for England.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, the returning English skipper, Jos Buttler opted to bowl first as there was moisture on the deck and Saqib Mahmood backed him up with a quick three-wicket burst early on. West Indies did counter through Nicholas Pooran but it was the lower order that did most of the damage as Russell, Shepherd and Motie all made scores of 30 plus and took the hosts to a fairly substantial total. Saqib ended up with a four-fer as Adil Rashid picked up 3 wickets as well. In reply, Phil Salt ran the show with the bat and we also saw the greatness of a rising star in the form of Jacob Bethell. However, both sides seem to have lost a player to injury as Reece Topley frustratingly left the field early in the game and then Andre Russell was seen hobbling back to the dressing room as well late in the game. Hopefully, both of them are fit for the next encounter.

West Indies had the runs on the board and would have been decently happy at the halfway stage but England's batting in the Powerplay just blew them away. The hosts conceded 73 runs in the first 6 overs and picked up one wicket which did become two in the very next over but that was it. They just couldn't handle the heat from Salt and Bethell and succumbed to a hefty defeat.

Phil Salt's love affair with the Kensington Oval continues and on a ground where he spent a lot of his younger years, he has yet again put on a stellar performance with the bat, notching up his 3rd T20I ton as well. He was amply supported by young and feisty Jacob Bethell who too has a connection to this venue and Bethell picked up a half-century as well. The pair added 107 runs for the 3rd wicket in just 61 balls and completely hammered the opposition bowlers en route to victory.

The highest-ever successful run chase in a T20I game at the Kensington Oval! A resounding victory for England to kick off the five-match T20I series and if game 1 is anything to go by, we are in for a treat all throughout the series.

There it is, Jacob Bethell with the winning runs! England complete a dominant chase! Coming to the delivery, this is banged into the deck, on middle and leg, Jacob Bethell rises with the bounce and pulls it firmly to the right of deep square leg and comes back comfortably for the second run. England win by 8 wickets with 3 overs to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series!

SIX! WOW! That is a shot of real authority! Angling across the batter, on a length, Jacob Bethell stays low to make the connection and stays leg side of the ball. Thumps it as he goes inside out over cover and picks up a six. The 100-run stand comes up between these two batters. England are just 2 runs away now.

This is on a short of a length, slower and on middle, Jacob Bethell swivels for the pull but fails to connect and wears it on the body.

On a back of a length, on off, Salt slaps it down the ground to long off for a single.

HUNDRED FOR SALT! A knock of the highest order from Salt. Third T20I hundred of his career and all of them have come against West Indies. Romario Shepherd goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on middle, Salt drills it down to long on where Rovman Powell gets around to his left and tumbles but lets it get past him and it trickles into the fence. Salt sets off on a celebratory run, takes the helmet off and soaks in the applause from the crowd and his teammates.

On a good length, on off, Salt cuts it to deep point and retains the strike with a single.

WIDE! Very full, down leg, Salt misses the tickle.

Full and on the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Moves to 98 does Salt.