Format England cricketer Michael Vaughan wants Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Phil Salt to make his Test debut for England. He believes his style of play could help the Three Lions in the longest format of the game.
The England cricket team is looking forward to summer. The Three Lions will have some of the crucial games in all three formats of the game. On the Test front, they would look to continue their aggressive approach and would also want to provide opportunities to young players.
Premiership paceman James Anderson will retire this summer and one of the main concerns will be finding his replacement. Ollie Robinson along with other pacers are there but it will be difficult to find quality from him.
On the other hand, another thing that will concern them will be looking for an option to maintain the land. Jonny Bairstow has looked torrid with the bat and it will not be a surprise if he is dropped from the team this summer.
Michael Vaughan spoke about young Durham wicketkeeper-batsman Ollie Robinson, highlighting his success in county cricket. While speaking on the Praire Fire club podcast, he stated:
“Ollie Robinson got 170, which is not unusual for Durham… A wicket-keeper batsman, he came from Kent. Sam Billings actually played for Kent. He was a young bloke, he wanted to go and play first-team cricket. Durham nicknamed him. Don’t be surprised… Not the bowling Ollie Robinson.
“Ollie Robinson on Sunday led Sussex to victory against Yorkshire with a four-fer and he is an extraordinary human being because on Monday… I think on Monday or Tuesday Ollie Robinson got a 170 fee for Durham. But he is the different Ollie Robinson. He is just a common name.”
Phil Salt, wicketkeeper batsman at number 7, Bazballer – Michael Vaughan on England wicketkeeper option in Tests
Michael Vaughan was also confident that Ollie Robinson will be the batsman this summer. He also feels that Phil Salt could be a great option for the team in the Tests as well. He added:
“Anyway, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Ollie Robinson was England’s wicketkeeper-batsman this summer. Don’t be surprised if they throw you in there. He is a quality player. This boy, Ollie Robinson. He left with the Lions in the winter. He’s on the radar. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went after him.
And also Phil Salt. Phil Salt, wicketkeeper batsman at number 7, Bazballer; you could see him going towards Phil Salt, Jonny Bairstow or someone new in Ollie Robinson. “I don’t think Ben Foakes is a safe bet.”
Phil Salt has been in exceptional form this year in white-ball cricket. In IPL 2024, he scored 439 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 182. In England ODIs, he has 619 runs in 19 matches at an average of 36.41. While he has 639 runs at an average of 35.50 in 21 T20Is.