Phil Salt has once again proved why he is considered one of the most dangerous T20 openers in world cricket. His fiery knock of 89 runs off 46 balls in the first T20I against Ireland not only sealed England’s victory but also reminded everyone of his consistency in the shorter format. However, despite such performances, Salt remains uncertain about his place in England’s ODI squad, creating a major talking point in English cricket.
Phil Salt’s Heroics Against Ireland
- In the first T20I at Dublin, Salt hammered 10 fours and 4 sixes, dominating Ireland’s bowling attack.
- He shared a quickfire partnership of 74 runs in just 28 balls with Jos Buttler, giving England the perfect start in a high chase of 197.
- His knock ensured England secured a four-wicket victory, marking their first T20I win over Ireland since 2022.
Recent Form and Milestones
Salt has been in exceptional touch across T20 internationals:
- 141 vs South Africa* (just days before the Ireland series).
- 89 vs Ireland in the series opener.
- Among England’s eight T20I hundreds, Salt owns four, making him one of their most prolific century-makers.
- He narrowly missed becoming only the third player globally (after Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell) to score five T20I centuries.
Read more: Harry Brook Captaincy Record All Formats
Uncertainty Over ODI Future
Despite his T20 dominance, Salt’s ODI position remains unclear:
- Earlier this summer, he was dropped from the ODI squad, with Jamie Smith preferred at the top.
- Salt admitted: “I was told to go out and play ultra-aggressive, but I couldn’t get the weight of runs required in ODIs.”
- He remains “in the dark” about an ODI recall, though his explosive batting makes him a strong contender for a comeback.
Partnership with Jos Buttler
England’s Top T20I Opening Pairs (By Runs)
| Partnership | Runs | Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt & Jos Buttler | 1041 | 18 |
| Jos Buttler & Jason Roy | 968 | 31 |
| Alex Hales & Michael Lumb | 705 | 18 |
| Jos Buttler & Alex Hales | 528 | 9 |
| Alex Hales & Jason Roy | 513 | 20 |
Paul Stirling’s men posted 196/3, with Harry Tector (61*) and Lorcan Tucker (55) starring. However, their bowlers could not contain Salt’s early assault. Stirling admitted Ireland lacked the “bit of luck” needed to turn the match.
Phil Salt continues to shine as England’s go-to match-winner in T20 cricket. His ability to attack from ball one has transformed England’s batting powerplay strategy. However, the big question remains: Will his T20 brilliance translate into another ODI opportunity? For now, Salt is focused on winning games, and England couldn’t ask for more from their explosive opener.
