Salt has yet to face a ball in the tournament, but has already shown an ability to thrive when thrown in at the deep end
There was only one drawback when England beat India in the most emphatic manner in the Adelaide semi-final: no chance of a bat for Harry Brook, who has yet to adjust to Australian conditions, or Phil Salt, who replaced Dawid Malan at No 3 and has yet to face a ball in this World Cup.
Yet, if anyone can make a success out of being thrown into the deepest of deep ends, it is Salt. He has the same elemental fire as Liam Livingstone or even Ben Stokes, becoming more alive when faced with risks, challenges and dangers.
And if Salt has had no chance of an innings since the T20 series in early October, most of his international experience has been in or against Pakistan. In England’s autumn series he stood in very ably as a replacement for Jos Buttler as opening batsman and wicketkeeper, in partnership with Alex Hales.
More than that though, Salt revealed his mettle in his first series for England against Pakistan. It was that extraordinary ODI series last year when England’s first-team squad had to be isolated and a completely new squad drafted in at the last moment, when Salt was catapulted into opening.