England completed a record chase in Grenada to keep the T20I series against West Indies alive, with Phil Salt’s maiden T20I hundred and a blistering cameo from Harry Brook gunning down 223 with a ball to spare.
At the halfway stage, it looked as if England would be consigned to a T20I series defeat at the first possible opportunity. West Indies had recovered from 8-2 to post 222-6, with Nicholas Pooran hitting 82 off 45 before a remarkable death-overs assault. No one was spared as 79 runs came off the last four overs, Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford each hitting sparkling cameos before Jason Holder applied the afterburners, hitting two sixes and a four off the last ball of the innings.
No team had ever chased as many against the West Indies, but England were not deterred and raced away in reply. Jos Buttler and Salt put on a century opening stand before the former fell in the 12th over. However, Will Jacks struggled to get the ball away as an economical spell from Gudakesh Motie put the skids on England.
Heading into the last four overs, England had to almost match West Indies’ death hitting, with 71 required. They dealt in sixes, Salt hitting three in a row before nudging the single that brought up his maiden T20I century.
Liam Livingstone fell next ball, having contributed 30 off 18 to keep England in contention, but it was Brook’s arrival that changed the game. His first ball, the last of the 18th over, was smashed for six, but it took until the last ball of the next over for him to regain the strike. Alzarri Joseph went for 10, economical in the circumstances, to leave 21 required off the last. No team has ever hit more in the final over to win a T20I. Australia also chased down 21, against India at Guwahati earlier this year.
That Harry Brook last over in all its glory.
Scintillating batting.#WIvENG pic.twitter.com/yYUCLep80H
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 16, 2023
Brook needed just five balls. He flicked fine for four before giving room and launching gloriously over cover. Andre Russell, feeling the pressure, veered full and onto the pads, and was flicked wristily over fine leg. England needed five off three. Brook pulled and scampered two, and then carved over deep third for another six. He had faced seven balls and hit four of them over the rope, ticking off each quarter of the ground as he did so.
Salt was named Player of the Match. The series continues on Tuesday, December 18, in Trinidad.
