Salt grabs victory for England to fuel belief in title fight

Buttler is thrilled with maturity shown by side in statement win

- Malik Ouzia

FIVE MATCHES and more than a fortnight into this T20 World Cup, at last an England performance to suggest their grip on the trophy might yet remain firm beyond its end.

After the washout of Scotland, the mauling by Australia and two scampered victories against poor opposition in Namibia and Oman, here was a statement display, an in-form West Indies trounced by eight wickets with 15 balls to spare, and on their own patch in St Lucia to boot.

Phil Salt, scorer of centuries in back-to-back matches on the Caribbean tour just before Christmas, made an unbeaten 87, including taking 30 runs off Romario Shepherd's 16th over to flatten lingering West Indies hope.

But Jonny Bairstow, too, played a vital hand, his 48 not-out from 26 deliveries keeping England on top of their pursuit of 181 as Salt's innings briefly threatened to stall.

"That was a really good performance," said England captain Jos Buttler. "People say you learn when you lose, but you learn when you win as well.