Phil Salt to join England ODI squad as reserve for Australia series

He was previously part of England’s white-ball bubble ahead of the start of the international summer; playing for England Lions against Ireland in July, he struck a 58-ball century

Sussex batsman Phil Salt is to join England’s ODI squad as a reserve ahead of the upcoming series against Australia.

The hard-hitting opener has been in good touch for his county in white-ball cricket this season, making scores of 27, 33 and 40 in three of his four T20 Blast innings so far. His availability was withdrawn for Sussex’s Bob Willis Trophy clash with Surrey, which began on Sunday.

He was previously part of England’s white-ball bubble ahead of the start of the international summer; playing for England Lions against Ireland in July, he struck a 58-ball century.

His call-up comes amid concern over Jason Roy’s fitness. England named a 13-man group to face Australia in a three-match 50-over series, but leaving the door open for the Surrey batsman to recover from a side strain.

Salt made his Sussex debut in 2015 and has emerged as a sought-after talent on the franchise T20 circuit, having featured in the Big Bash, Pakistan Super League Caribbean Premier League.

“I just want to play for England,” Salt said, speaking to The Cricketer in August. “Growing up it is all you think about. The goalposts have never moved for me since I was a kid. Playing for England would be No.1.

“You always want to play the best cricket that is available. When drafts happen, you want to be the name that gets picked up. I just want to play the best level of cricket. If England are going on a tour then I want to be on that tour. 

“If there is going to be a draft for BBL, PSL, then I want to be in that draft. Franchise cricket is great and you learn a lot but international cricket is the pinnacle I think. Everyone knows that.”

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