Phil Salt savours England T20 debut despite defeat in Barbados

Phil Salt spent a good portion of his childhood growing up in Barbados so he savoured making his Twenty20 debut for England at the Kensington Oval despite a 20-run defeat against the West Indies.

Rovman Powell’s brawny, six-laden maiden T20 international century ushered the Windies to a formidable 224 for five after they were asked to bat first by stand-in England captain Moeen Ali, with Eoin Morgan nursing a quad niggle.

Tom Banton’s 73 off 39 deliveries gave England hope of pulling off their third highest chase ever in the format before his downfall led to Salt taking ownership of the tourists’ reply with a sumptuous 22-ball half-century.

Salt, who lived on the Caribbean island for half a dozen years following his family’s move from north Wales when he was nine, was bowled for 57 from 24 balls as England posted 204 for nine to fall 2-1 down in the five-match series.

Despite the defeat, Salt was able to reflect with some satisfaction at making his bow at a venue where he played a lot of youth cricket and watched England win their first global trophy at the 2010 World Twenty20.

He said: “It was very cool to play here, it’s a ground that I’ve watched England play on so many times.

“I’ve watched them win a World Cup here and I’ve seen almost every single series I could when they were over here. To make my debut on the ground is incredible.”

While Salt is more accustomed to opening in the sprint format, being asked to bat in the middle-order is not a unique experience for the 25-year-old, having occasionally done so on the lucrative franchise circuit.

It was very cool to play here, it's a ground that I've watched England play on so many times.- Phil Salt

He believes being prepared to accelerate from the outset means he can