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There is not a single World Cup-bound player in the ongoing ODI series between England and Ireland but the spirit of 'Bazball' is truly alive in them. Traditionally opening batters are expected to be cautious against the new ball in overcast conditions. But Philip Salt was not in a mood to wait around. Taking on Mark Adair, he scored a hat-trick of fours followed by a six. A total of 19 runs were scored in the first over, the joint-most in the history of ODI cricket.
19 runs in the first over of an ODI have only been scored once in the history of the format. Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith scored 19 runs off England pacer James Anderson in 2003.
On the first ball of the innings, Salt got some width and he hit it over the point fielder for a boundary. Next ball, he guided the ball through the off-side along the ground for another boundary. On the third delivery, he got one on his body. Salt swivelled and pulled it away for a boundary on the leg side. Next ball, he smashed a similar delivery over the leg side for a maximum. It was followed by a wide down the leg side. On the next two balls, he could not find the gap and no runs were scored.
The onslaught continued and Salt hit Adiar for a six and a four in his next over. Will Jacks joined the party as well. He smashed left-arm pacer Joshua Little for two consecutive sixes. With a single via leg byes, another record was created. England completed 50 runs from just 21 balls, their fastest team fifty in ODI cricket.
In the sixth over, Salt hit Little for a six to complete his half-century from just 22 balls. This is the fifth-fastest half-century for England in ODIs. He departed for a 28-ball 61 in the seventh over. Salt and Jacks shared a blinding 87-run opening partnership from just 42 balls. In the eighth over, Zak Crawley picked up a couple of runs from the last ball. England got to the 100-run mark from just 48 balls. It is England's fastest team century in ODIs.
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