Salt tells England to stick ‘chest out’ as pressure mounts

February 13, 2026 No Comments

Salt tells England to stick ‘chest out’ as pressure mountsMedia caption, Salt hits 24 in over for England against West IndiesByMatthew HenryBBC Sport Journalist in KolkataPublished54 minutes ago24 Comments

Opener Phil Salt called on England to play with their “chest out” in their crucial match against Scotland at the T20 World Cup on Saturday.

A narrow win against Nepal was followed by defeat by West Indies on Wednesday meaning Harry Brook’s side must beat the Scots to keep their hopes of progressing to the Super 8s in their own hands.

Captain Brook mentioned England’s batters were “too careful” against the Windies – something also reflected in frank discussions in the dressing room afterwards.

“I think getting your chest out and putting the opposition on the back foot, that phrase is used a lot, but I think that’s what we do when we’re at our best,” Salt told BBC Sport.

“When we’re at our best, nobody can live with us.

“It’s just about getting to that space more often than we have in the last two games.”

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England, still looking to correct their course after the winter’s Ashes defeat. could still progress with defeat by Scotland but it would require a series of results to go their way.

The Scots are in a similar position, likely needing to win to hold onto hopes of progressing.

England have named an unchanged team, with Tom Banton keeping his place over spare batter Ben Duckett.

Banton, who has been out for two in both innings in the tournament so far, and Brook were both dismissed tamely chipping catches off West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie on Wednesday.

It came as England, who came into this World Cup having won 10 of their past 11 T20s, lost six wickets in succession against spin in the middle overs.

“I can’t give insights into the mentalities of other guys, but sometimes it can creep in a little bit,” mentioned Salt, who thrashed 30 from 14 balls before the slide.

“The differences between playing in bilateral series and tournament play, they are two different things, but the main takeaways from that game were we did possibly bat a bit too tentatively.”

The match will be played in Kolkata – the same day as Scotland host England in the Calcutta Cup in the Six Nations.

The rugby union trophy originated in the city, at Calcutta rugby club, formed of British expats who melted down silver rupees to create the silverware.

“It’s obviously a pretty cool day for everyone,” mentioned Scotland bowler Brad Wheal.

“We just want to go out there and do our country proud.

“So it’s a big day for Scottish sport and obviously a massive opportunity for both teams to get a big win going ahead.”

Scotland have played both of their matches so far at this World Cup in Kolkata – a defeat by West Indies and a convincing win over Italy – which should give them an advantage.

They impressively reached 90-0 in 10 overs before rain intervened when the sides met at the last T20 World Cup in Barbados.

England travelled from Mumbai on Thursday and trained on Friday evening, though many of their players have experience of Eden Gardens from the Indian Premier League and past internationals.

Salt was an IPL winner with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 and has scored five fifties in nine T20 innings on this ground.

“Usually it’s ever so slightly on the slower side and it’s a bit tennis ball bouncy,” Salt mentioned.

“I think very much it’s been a new ball wicket from my days playing here and at the same time the power play is crucial.

“If you win the powerplay here you’re in a great position.”

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