Phil Salt called into England squad for T20I against Pakistan
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Sunday 5 May 2019 13:59, UK
Uncapped Sussex batsman Phil Salt has been called into the England squad for Sunday's T20I match against Pakistan in Cardiff.
Opener Salt replaces Dawid Malan, who is ruled out after suffering a muscle injury to his left groin.
The 22-year-old has helped Sussex Sharks win four of their opening six matches in this season's Royal London One-Day Cup, including an unbeaten 137 in their victory over Kent on April 21.
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But it was Salt's form in last year's T20 Vitality Blast that looks to have secured his pace in the squad, after he played a key role in helping his county reach the final of the competition.
He scored 355 runs at a strike-rate of 172, the fourth-highest among England qualified players with more than 300 runs to their name.
Meanwhile, Sussex team-mate Jofra Archer claimed his maiden international wicket on debut during Friday's One-Day International win over Ireland in Malahide.
Archer is pushing for a place in the 15-man squad for the World Cup that starts at the end of the month, but he is keeping his feet on the ground and praised the "welcoming" dressing room he has joined.
"It's been very welcoming," he said. "Sometimes the media can get things wrong and misquote people. Since I've been here I didn't feel any malice at all. It's a really welcoming bunch of lads.
"I knew most of the guys before coming here and it's nice to come into a new team with some people you know. I'm here with a great team at a great time. I'm happy.
"Anyone would think about making the World Cup squad but I'll just try to play well and hope. I'll try not to set my heart on it.
"Obviously the guys have been together a long time and they probably do deserve it so I won't feel too bad if I'm left out. If I do well here it will probably put my case forward but I'm not focusing on the World Cup spot."
England will be looking to improve on Friday's stuttering performance against Ireland in their ODI, having had to rally from 66-5 before successfully chasing down a target of 199.
Sunday's one-off T20 game is followed by a five-match ODI series against Pakistan - with all games live on Sky Sports - ahead of this summer's World Cup in England and Wales.
