The Brian Lara Cricket Academy awaits, ready to witness another chapter in its rich history of high-scoring T20 encounters
When cricket fans think of explosive performances and towering scores, the Brian Lara Cricket Academy often springs to mind. This venue, named after one of the game's greatest, has seen some spectacular innings that have left spectators in awe. As New Zealand and Uganda prepare to lock horns on June 15, let's take a nostalgic journey through the top three highest team totals recorded at this iconic stadium.
Whoever said "don’t answer back" had clearly never been spurned for a lucrative IPL contract or witnessed Phil Salt's belligerence with the bat. In a fiery response to his IPL auction snub, Salt unleashed a blistering 57-ball 119 to propel England to an imposing 267 for 3 against the West Indies. This jaw-dropping total is not only the highest at Brian Lara Stadium but also the second-highest by a full-member nation in T20 internationals.
Credit: Business Standard
Phil Salt celebrating his ton
Salt's innings were nothing short of a masterclass in power-hitting. Reaching his century off just 48 balls, he set a new benchmark for England's highest individual T20I score. He forged a formidable partnership with captain Jos Buttler, who contributed a brisk 55, ensuring England's innings were well and truly ignited. After Buttler's departure, Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone continued the onslaught, with Livingstone hammering an unbeaten half-century.
The match saw an incredible 33 sixes, the third-most in men's T20Is. Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran did their best to keep the West Indies in the hunt, smashing five and four sixes, respectively. However, their efforts paled in comparison to Salt's 10 monstrous hits over the ropes. England's total proved too much for the West Indies, who were bowled out for 192, the second highest total in this venue, thanks to Reece Topley's three-wicket haul and tight spells from Sam Curran and Rehan Ahmed.
The first international game at the Brian Lara Stadium saw India post a commanding 190 for 6 against the West Indies. This match highlighted India's strategic brilliance, particularly their decision to field three spinners on a slow, turning track. The move paid rich dividends as Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravi Bishnoi combined to choke the West Indies' chase.
Credit: Sports Café
DK is on fire
Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a scintillating 64, setting the foundation for a competitive total. However, it was Dinesh Karthik's unbeaten 41 off just 19 balls that gave India the finishing flourish they needed.
In the chase, the West Indies' batters were caught in a web spun by India's spinners. The trio of Jadeja, Ashwin, and Bishnoi exploited the conditions expertly, picking up five crucial wickets. Their combined efforts restricted the West Indies to 122 for 8, handing India a comprehensive 68-run victory.
In a hard-fought contest, the West Indies posted 149 for 6 against India, a total that proved just enough to secure a narrow four-run victory. Rovman Powell top-scored with a gritty 48. Alongside him, Nicholas Pooran chipped in with a valuable 41.
Credit: English Jagran
Powell during his masterclass
Defending a modest total, the West Indies' bowlers put on a masterclass of variations and control. Spinner Akeal Hosein's economical spell of 4-0-17-1, including 14 dot balls, set the tone early on. Despite a valiant 39 from debutant Tilak Varma and a late cameo from Arshdeep Singh, India fell short by four runs, underscoring the fine margins that often decide T20 contests.
