Phil Salt has set his sights on becoming the “best in the world” as a T20 opener after smashing a record-breaking century in England’s 146-run victory over South Africa.
The 29-year-old lit up Old Trafford with an unbeaten 141 off 60 deliveries to not only shatter a host of individual records – most notably reaching three figures off just 39 balls to beat Liam Livingstone’s England record – but also propel his side beyond 300 for the first time in T20s.
England amassed 304-2, a record total in a T20I between two Test nations, in a blistering display of hitting before bowling South Africa out for 158 to level the series at 1-1 going into Sunday’s decider in Nottingham.
Salt was aggressive from ball one, immediately dispatching Marco Jansen for a trio of boundaries, and went on to find the rope no fewer than 23 times, including eight sixes, in his monster knock.
“Enjoying being there at the crease for as long as you can and just a will to impact the game, that’s how I see it,” Salt said. “I want to take games as deep as possible while still batting at a high strike-rate. The two don’t often go hand in hand but that’s what I want to do as a player. “The goal is to be right up there. I want to be the best in the world at this.”
