T20 World Cup 2022: Phil Salt, Harry Brook: Will England experiment with new players pay off at the World cup?

During this series, the England Cricket Board took many steps to experiment for the World Cup. They played without skipper Jos Buttler and added young players to the squad.

England team has been quite vocal on their intent of "attack from the first ball". In this series, they saw two players deeply infused in this psychology and winning games for their team. 

The newly added young talent - Phil Salt and Harry Brook- have strengthened the World Cup campaign for the England team.

Phil Salt - Still an extra batter or a trump card for the opening?

After Alex Hales is called up, the opening slot with Skipper Jos Buttler looks most likely his, given his vast experience in Australia's Big Bash League. But in the sixth T20I against Pakistan, Phil Salt demonstrated that his approach is nevertheless precisely what his side needs.

With 13 fours and three sixes, his unbeaten 87 from 41 balls presses a strong claim on the spot of Alex Hales in the World Cup. "You don't ignore innings like that," says Sky Sports' Michael Atherton.

Phil Salt cleared his intentions and approach by saying, "The way I play is aggressive and I want to win as many games as possible while I'm in an England shirt. It's very simple: we want to go out there, be on the front foot and put teams on the back foot."

Phil Salt scored just 59 runs in five games, but after his innings in the sixth T20I, he has given England quite the selection headache ahead of the World Cup.

"I think the assumption [that Hales will open with Buttler] is right, given Hales' record in Australia and how relatively inexperienced Salt is in international cricket. But you don't ignore innings like that," said Sky Sports Cricket's Michael Atherton after watching Salt's spectacular innings.

Outstanding Harry Brook is holding number 5 for England

When England announced their 15 players for World Cup in Australia, Harry Brook looked like he would be sitting on the bench throughout the tournament along with Phil Salt. However, he has cemented his position in the World Cup, playing XI during the Pakistan tour.

"I think, for me, he's absolutely nailed-on for that No 5 spot for the first game in that World Cup.", said Nasser Hussain.

"That is exactly what you are looking for. People demonstrating their abilities and providing options for the final XI," said England skipper Jos Buttler on Harry Brook.

Playing at the fifth position in five innings, he has scored 192 runs in 117 balls. It includes his career-best score of 81 runs in 35 balls. Nasser Hussain said, "Every time he has been coming in at five, he has been prolific and consistent because he has done it before at Yorkshire."

Though England has players who are a good fit for death batting, like Moeen Ali, Sam Curran and even Ben Stokes, the intent of attack which Harry Brook is currently carrying is outstanding.

"He has been so outstanding, not only with the runs he achieves but also with how he scores them and his demeanour at the crease." Jos Buttler said.

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