England opener Phil Salt wants to become the best T20 batsman in the world before the World Cup

Phil Salt has set his sights on becoming the best T20 batsman in the world as he attempts to fire England to T20 World Cup glory.

Salt has arrived in Sri Lanka for a three-match T20 series ahead of England’s opening match against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.

The explosive opener has an excellent T20 record for England and is second in the ICC T20 rankings behind Indian superstar Abhishek Sharma.

In 50 T20 internationals, Salt has four centuries, an average of 38.5 and a strike rate of 168.

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Career-best

The 29-year-old made a career-best 141 not out against South Africa late last summer as England became the first Test team to score more than 300 in a T20 match.

Salt admits he is a big fan of Sharma, who has an extraordinary strike rate of just under 200, and is out to claim his place as the best in the world.

“I really enjoy watching him hit. (Catching him) is something that’s in the back of my mind,” Salt said.

“I would like to overtake him. I would like to overtake him in the rankings. That has been my goal for a while, even when Suryakumar Yadav was number one.”

“I don’t know what it is. The fact that Sharma can hit the first ball for six like that, the way he runs around the wicket…

“I’ll never be him. He’ll never be me.”

Highlight of his career

Salt has played in two T20 World Cups for England, winning a winners’ medal in 2022, playing in the semi-finals and finals and helping the team to the semi-finals in 2024.

He considers the T20 World Cup the highlight of his career, having watched the 2010 trophy in the West Indies as a child.

“For me, the T20 World Cup has been the highlight of my international schedule and career, to be honest. I want to play in as many of these as possible,” he added.

“I think this is definitely the tournament that stands out above the rest.”

Challenge

While confident in England’s chances, Salt is wary of the challenge of beating fellow hosts India.

“We’re not a team that a lot of teams want to play against, especially in a World Cup, in knockout cricket. I think we’re in a good place,” Salt said.

“I think everyone needs a bit of luck to beat India. I think they are by far the strongest team in the World Cup.

“I’m really excited about the idea that we can compete against them in a World Cup in their backyard.”

Certain

Salt was not in the starting line-up for much of England’s 2022 victory in Australia, before not having to bat in the semi-final win over India and making just 10 in the final victory over Pakistan.

That makes him even more determined to make his mark on the tournament and lead England from ball one.

“That’s a huge source of motivation for myself. Hopefully I’ll start this in the team and make a mark on it,” Salt added.

“I don’t want to hype it up in my own head. I don’t want to make it a challenge that is different from what it is.

“Hopefully top of the group and then deal with what’s to come.”

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