“There wasn’t really a message at halfway, just go out and play,” said Phil Salt. “We knew what we needed to do, it was pretty simple.” In truth it was anything but, and as they pursued a mighty target of 223 England went into the final few overs of their innings needing a miracle. Fortunately, in Harry Brook they have one.
Brook faced seven balls and scored 31, a dizzying assault that left West Indies reeling. Andre Russell was spreadeagled on the floor as the fifth ball of his final over followed the second and third into the stands to seal it. England’s bowlers might have no idea how to control their opponents’ brutal hitting but for the first time in a previously lopsided series their batters fought fire with fire, and the result was a brilliant victory, sealed by seven wickets with one ball remaining, and for the tourists a foothold in this series.
