English recruit Phil Salt wants to spark Adelaide Strikers BBL resurgence
English recruit Phil Salt is a man on a mission in the Big Bash for the Strikers as he touches down in Adelaide for his first training session.
Big Bash
Don't miss out on the headlines from Big Bash. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sussex blaster Phil Salt has touched down vowing to become the top-order match-winner Adelaide craves in skipper Travis Head’s Test absence.
Jon Wells and South African Colin Ingram were the only Strikers to average over 30 who exceeded 100 runs last season. Adelaide’s top order failure sabotaged its title defence in a slide to seventh last season.
“I am looking forward to be trying to be that match-winner for the Strikers, that is my main aim, every game of cricket how can I make a contribution,” said Salt who earnt an England squad call-up in April.
Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly.
“It looks like a ground that will suit me and a nice wicket to bat on.”
Brilliant keeper-batsman Alex Carey will end an opening union with Jake Weatherald and fill a middle-order role where he excelled at the 2019 World Cup in England.
Salt will open with 2017-18 BBL final man-of-the-match and former Adelaide University club mate Jake Weatherald.
“I played with Weathers a couple of years ago for Adelaide Uni. I am sure we will figure out who will do what and how the dynamic of the partnership is going to work,” said Salt.
Salt’s 355 runs – motoring at a 172 strike rate – was instrumental in Sussex’s run to the 2018 T20 Vitality Blast final under Gillespie. Salt topped the Sharks’ T20 run aggregate with 406 runs at a strike rate of 161.1 this season.
Faster Australian pitches will suit stroke-player Salt, also rated an ‘absolute gun fielder’ by Test great Gillespie. Salt who will be given a licence to attack from the outset in what looms as one of BBL’s most aggressive opening partnerships with Weatherald.
“I am just looking forward to it, a great opportunity for me,” said Salt with a 154 strike rate over 50 T20 matches.
“ I have been to Adelaide before and know how good the ground is and fans are.
“Everybody who watches it knows what a great competition it is, renowned world wide.”
Arriving on Wednesday, Salt’s acclimatisation was fast tracked by fronting with superstar leg-spinner Rashid Khan and Carey at Sussex last northern summer.
Head – who will join Sussex as its overseas recruit next year – will return to captain the Strikers once the left-hander’s Test commitments against New Zealand conclude in the New Year.
“Familiar names, Kez, Rash and Diz knows me really well, we have Heady coming out to Sussex next season,” said Salt.
“It’s a great bonus getting here, seeing all the lads, feels like I have slotted straight in.”
Carey will lead the Strikers with former Australian all-rounder Cameron White deputising until Head is available.
The Strikers assembled for their first training session of the season at Karen Rolton Oval on Thursday with Afghanistan wizard Rashid to arrive this weekend.
Sydney Thunder hosts the Strikers in a December 21 season opener.
