Opener Phil Salt says Adelaide Strikers must go all out in the powerplay this BBL season
Strikers English import Phil Salt says it’s crucial to throw the first punch in Twenty20 as he prepares for his first game for Adelaide in the BBL on Saturday.
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Expect Phil Salt “to throw the first punch” against Sydney Thunder as the English opener vows to explode in Adelaide Strikers’ season opener in Canberra on Saturday.
Salt cleared the fence 16 times and slammed 41 boundaries for Sussex under Jason Gillespie this year and notes the importance of an initial six over powerplay in T20.
“There is huge emphasis on the powerplay especially. T20 cricket is evolving, becoming a much more explosive game,” Salt said.
“The best batters in the world go from ball one.
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“If you can always be coming out of the power play with one wicket down and 50 on the board you are always going to be in a good position.
“I am looking forward to just playing, freeing my mind up.
“I am pretty aggressive looking to take the game on, impact the game also in the field.”
A call-up for Eoin Morgan’s England T20 squad against Pakistan in April saw Salt double down on expectations at the highest level and those who set the pace.
“It was a great reward to be in that environment with Eoin Morgan and those big dogs, hear them talk about the game,” said Salt who will replace Alex Carey as Jake Weatherald’s opening partner against Callum Ferguson’s Thunder.
“The knowledge is brilliant and fact I was around them picking up that stuff and learning, I was really chuffed.”
Salt’s teammates and coach at Sussex and Strikers, leg-spinner Rashid Khan, keeper Carey and leg-spinner Rashid Khan – provide a template for combining success and fun.
“They always play with a smile on their face and keep it pretty simple. They have a real high skill level and top performers but get there by keeping it real simple,” said Salt of Afghan wizard Rashid and Australian limited overs vice-captain Carey.
Travis Head sought out Salt during Australia A’s tour game against Sussex at Arundel last July confirming Gillespie’s belief in the dynamic opener.
“Dizzy knows me really well, I have had him for a few years at Sussex and given me a great opportunity here. He creates such a good environment,” explained Salt.
Salt was disappointed to be overlooked for England’s T20 series in New Zealand with Brisbane Heat’s Tom Banton, Sydney Sixers’ James Vince , Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow filling top order roles.
Having won a Caribbean Premier League title with Barbados in October, Salt knows adding silverware with the Strikers will enhance his case for England T20 World Cup selection in Australia next year.
“I hope so, back in England it is pretty clear they do look at franchise cricket a fair bit and performances in that,” he said.
“That was what my selection was based on, having a good winter around the world playing T20.”