T20 World Cup 2024, Super 8: Phil Salt Credits IPL Legend For This Valuable Advice After England's Win Over WI

t20 world cup 2024, super 8: phil salt credits ipl legend for this valuable advice after england's win over wi

Defending champions England registered a commanding eight-wicket win over West Indies in a Super Eight Group 2 match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Wednesday. Invited to bat first, West Indies scored 180-4 in 20 overs as most of their batters failed to capitalise on the good starts. In reply, Phil Salt (87 not out from 47 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (48 not out from 26) helped England wrap up the game with 15 balls to spare and 8 wickets in hand.

Speaking after the game, Salt gave due credit to former West Indies and Mumbai Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard, who is serving as the England assistant coach for the tournament.

The wicket-keeper batter said he has learnt the art of constructing a run chase from Pollard and patience along with timing were the key to his success.

"Pollard has brought a lot to the group but I'd say that the most valuable thing I've taken so far (from him) is constructing that run chase. We've spoken a lot about taking eights from one side to take twelves from the other and that's 200 [runs]," Salt told the reporters.

"It sounds so simple to say it but putting that into action there wasn't really. After a point in time out there, I knew I slowed down. I knew I hadn't got much strike, but I knew that If I just get through that period, then we're going to be in a good position and I can have a good dip, a good calculated risk at the seamers," he added.

Notably, England's campaign at the ongoing T20 World Cup kicked off with a washed-out game against Scotland, followed by a 36-run loss to Australia. Thereafter, they registered convincing victories against Oman and Namibia to qualify for the Super Eight.

"It's been a very stop-start for us. We had a hiccup against Australia and then, the rain out against Scotland. It's been a real topsy-turvy start. It didn't really feel like we played much cricket up to this point," the 27-year-old batter said about England's campaign so far.

"But, yes, I feel like in tournament cricket, you need a bit of confidence and momentum at the right time and you need it to keep building. So, to get a win against the hosts tonight gives us the first push in that direction," he added.

During the run chase, England required 40 runs off the last five overs but an expensive 16th over from Romario Shepherd guided them to the victory well before time. Salt hit Shepherd for 30 runs off that over with three sixes and three fours.

"In the back of my head, I did [plan it]. I didn't vocalize it to Jonny [Bairstow], I didn't want him to say no - but yeah, I feel like they've got such good spinners and they've bowled really well through the middle. I feel like the first sniff I got, I had to sort of take that chance," said Salt.

West Indies will next take on co-hosts USA in their next game of the tournament, whereas England to face South Africa.