LONDON — England's cricket team delivered a historic performance on home soil, smashing their highest-ever T20 total to secure a commanding 37-run victory over the West Indies in the third and final match of the series. The emphatic win completed a 3-0 clean sweep, cementing England's dominance in the shortest format of the game.
Jos Buttler's men blazed their way to a staggering 267 for 3, eclipsing their previous record of 241 against South Africa in 2022. The innings was powered by explosive half-centuries from Phil Salt (109 off 56 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (48* off 26), leaving the Windies bowlers shell-shocked. West Indies, despite a valiant chase led by Rovman Powell (39 off 21) and Andre Russell (51 off 25), fell short at 230 for 9.
A Record-Breaking Batting Onslaught
England's innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, with Salt and Bairstow dismantling the West Indies attack from the outset. Salt, fresh from his unbeaten 119 in the second T20, continued his blistering form, hammering nine sixes and four boundaries in a career-defining knock. Bairstow, promoted to No. 3, provided the perfect foil, striking at an astonishing 184.61.
The partnership between Salt and Bairstow yielded 115 runs in just 52 balls, leaving the visitors with no answers. England's dominance was evident in key moments:
- Salt reached his century in just 48 balls, the fastest by an Englishman in T20Is.
- England plundered 82 runs in the last five overs, with Bairstow and Harry Brook (31* off 7) finishing the innings in style.
- West Indies' bowlers conceded 18 sixes, the most ever in a T20I innings.
West Indies' Spirited Chase Falls Short
Despite the mammoth target, the West Indies showed glimpses of their famed power-hitting. Powell and Russell combined for a 66-run stand off just 27 deliveries, briefly igniting hopes of an improbable chase. Russell, in particular, was brutal, smashing five sixes in his 25-ball cameo. However, England's bowlers held their nerve, with Reece Topley (3 for 37) and Moeen Ali (2 for 30) applying the brakes at crucial moments.
Captain Buttler praised his team's ruthlessness: "To post 267 at home is something special. The way Salt and Bairstow batted was incredible—they took the game away from West Indies in the first 10 overs. We knew they'd come hard, but the bowlers executed their plans well under pressure."
Key Takeaways from the Series
England's clean sweep highlighted their depth and adaptability ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year. Standout performances included:
- Phil Salt – 331 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 185.96.
- Jofra Archer – Marked his return with crucial wickets, proving his fitness.
- Liam Livingstone – Versatile contributions with bat and ball.
Looking Ahead: World Cup Preparations
With the T20 World Cup just months away, England's performance sends a strong message to rivals. Coach Matthew Mott emphasized the importance of momentum: "This series was about building confidence and testing combinations. The way we've batted, bowled, and fielded shows we're peaking at the right time. But we know the World Cup will be a different challenge."
West Indies skipper Rovman Powell admitted his team was outplayed but remained optimistic: "Credit to England—they were phenomenal. We’ll take lessons from this and focus on tightening our bowling. The World Cup is our priority, and we’ll be ready."
The series also saw milestones for England:
- First-ever 3-0 T20I series sweep against West Indies.
- Highest team total (267) in T20Is on English soil.
- Salt became the first Englishman with back-to-back T20I centuries.
Conclusion: A Statement of Intent
England's record-breaking display underscored their status as one of the favorites for the upcoming World Cup. With a perfect blend of youth and experience, Buttler's squad has laid down a marker. As Salt aptly put it: "We’re playing fearless cricket, and that’s how we want to take it into the World Cup. Records are great, but trophies are what matter."