‘Incredible’ place for Salt to make debut

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, sixladen maiden T20 international century ushered the Windies to a formidable 224-5 after they were asked to bat first by stand-in England captain Moeen Ali, with Eoin Morgan ruled out of the seres with a thigh injury.

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 halfcentury.

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 204-9 to fall 2-1 down in the fivematch series with the next game scheduled for tomorrow.

Yorkshire’s Harry Brook – who enjoyed a stellar campaign in 2021 – was another T20 debutant for the tourists, scoring 10 towards the end of the England run chase.

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.”

Liam Livingstone is expected to play after being treated for acid reflux while batting.