Phil Salt smashed an unbeaten 103 from 54 balls as England chased down 183 in just 16.5 overs to beat West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20 international in Barbados.

The tourists will have been frustrated to let the West Indies tail wag, with the hosts falling from 117-8 in the 15th over to 182-9 after Jos Buttler won the toss.

Romario Shepherd (35no off 22 balls) and Gudakesh Motie (33 off 14) put on 49 for the ninth wicket, with West Indies adding 65 off the final 5.2 overs.

But Salt’s stunning batting performance – the match opener hitting nine boundaries and six sixes in his third T20I ton – plus a maiden half-century for Jacob Bethell (58no off 36) saw England secure a victory emphatic to open the five-match series.

A sour note in England’s success was the dismissal of returning skipper Buttler for a first-ball duck, caught at third over following an admittedly astonishing catch from Motie.

Saqib Mahmood starred from the start, returning career-best figures for England of 4-34 as he tore through the West Indies top order with three quick wickets.

Brandon King (3) – fresh from his hundred in the final ODI of West Indies’ 2-1 win – was the first to fall, before Evin Lewis (13) and Shimron Hetmyer (0) started back to back . deliveries to see Mahmood take a hat-trick in his second over.

West Indies rally after shocking start, but Salt powers England to victory

From 18-3 down, West Indies briefly countered both sides of a rain delay that halted proceedings in the fifth over, with Reece Topley going off injured shortly after the restart, having fallen during his follow-up until the last over balloon before the weather break. .

Nicholas Pooran (38 off 29) and Rovman Powell (18 off 10) cleared the ropes five times between them, before Jamie Overton ended the latter’s round with a fine long-range jumping catch against Adil Rashid (3- 32).

Rashid also accounted for Sherfane Rutherford (2), with Buttler this time showing lightning reactions to the slip.

Andre Russell (30 off 17) delivered vigorous blows, clearing the ropes on four occasions – one of which on Liam Livingstone was sent into orbit and out of the stadium.

But Livingstone had the last laugh soon after with the veteran’s wicket, while Pooran departed four balls later and Rashid accounted for Akeal Hosein (2) cheaply to seemingly reel West Indies before the late onslaught of Shepherd and Motie.

The runs scored by the tail at least gave a nod to a belt batting track, and Salt made every inch of it look like it as he exploded out of the blocks, smashing four boundaries and a six off a Shamar Joseph for a cost of 24.

England scored 73 runs in the first six-man powerplay, although the wicket of Will Jacks (17 off 10) – bowled by Motie – ended it, and Buttler’s golden duck four balls later briefly put an end to slippages in the chase.

But, being so far ahead of the pace, Bethell was able to rest as he and Salt comfortably saw England claim a maiden victory without further alarm, the pair putting on an unbroken stand of 107 from 61 balls.

Buttler: Salt can still reach new levels

England captain Jos Buttler:

“It was a fantastic performance – I’m delighted for the lads. It started with the ball and picking up those early wickets, then a really clinical partnership between Salt and Bethell.

“Salt has been exceptional. He loves playing against the West Indies and over the last 12-18 months he has taken his game to new heights. He can reach even more levels.”

Player of the match, Phil Salt:

“It’s probably the place I’m happiest. I love hitting here. I grew up on these surfaces.

“Bethell is a huge talent. He’s a 21-year-old but if you didn’t know how old he was you’d think he’d already played 100 games.

“It’s an immense pride to have him on our team. May it continue for a long time.”

West Indies vs England Schedule (All times UK & Ireland)