Phil Salt urged England to respond with intent and keep their T20 World Cup campaign alive, stating on Friday that when they produce their best cricket “sides can’t live with us”.
Harry Brook’s team lost to West Indies in Mumbai on Wednesday and now require wins against Scotland and Italy in Kolkata to secure progress to the Super Eights from Group C.
England played their opening two matches at Wankhede Stadium and fell short of the level that has brought 12 wins from their past 14 T20 internationals. They edged Nepal by four runs in a last ball finish on Sunday and then lost by 30 runs to West Indies to end an eight match winning run.
“It’s just two games where I think it’s fair to say we haven’t been at our best. Not 10 or 12 games,” said Salt.
England struggled through the middle overs in both matches. Brook said after the West Indies defeat that the batting approach during the chase of 197 lacked intent. Salt said the route forward was clear.
“The opportunities are in front of us and are there to go out and play with some personality and express yourself,” Salt told reporters at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
“Because when we do that, sides can’t live with us. We know that much.”
Salt made 30 from 14 balls against West Indies before England slipped from 74 for one to 166 all out. He said the focus must be on decisive play at key moments.
“It’s about bringing it to that night and in that moment when you’ve got a decision to make, taking the positive option with your chest out and putting a stamp on the game.”
England lost to Ireland in the group stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia and still went on to win the tournament. Salt pointed to that campaign as reference.
“Obviously we did that in 2022 and we’ll look to do that again here,” said England opener Salt.
He said the mood within the squad remains strong.
“If we can be that authentic side of ourselves, chest out, taking the game on and being smart, there’s nothing to stop us.
“If we want to go deep into this World Cup, we’re going to have to do exactly that.”
England named an unchanged side for the match against Scotland on Saturday. Jofra Archer continues with the new ball after conceding 90 runs across his eight overs in the two matches in Mumbai.