GEORGE DOBELL IN ADELAIDE: The England batter, who limped off against Sri Lanka with groin pain, could be replaced by Phil Salt if he is not available at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday (November 10)
Dawid Malan's chances of playing the T20 World Cup semi-final "don't look great" according to Moeen Ali.
Malan, the No.1 ranked T20I batter in the world not so long ago, was unable to bat in the final Super 12 match against Sri Lanka after experiencing groin pain while fielding.
While England have not yet confirmed that Malan will be unable to play in the semi-final on Thursday (November 10), Moeen, the team's vice-captain, provided a downbeat assessment of the likelihood.
"It doesn't look great, to be honest," he said when asked about Malan. "He's obviously a big miss because he's a brilliant player in T20 cricket and he has been over a long period of time. He's been one of our best players."
Malan limped off while Sri Lanka batted and was unable to feature in the chase (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
It would be cruel fortune for Malan if he is ruled out. His chances of playing in the 2019 World Cup were ended when he suffered an injury in an ODI against Ireland in May of that year and, aged 35, it is not certain such chances will come again.
He is currently ranked No.6 in the ICC's T20I batting rankings. The only other England batter in the top 30 is Jos Buttler at No.14. Malan was ranked No.1 in March 2021.
If Malan is ruled out of the game, it seems likely Phil Salt will win an opportunity. He has impressed everyone in training in recent weeks and might be expected to provide an aggressive option at No.3.
England do have various other options - including moving Moeen to No.3, leaving Ben Stokes, who batted in the position in Sydney, there or even bringing in another bowler. But, given the side's struggles with the bat and the number of all-round options they already have, Salt is the most likely option.
Phil Salt has impressed in the nets during the tournament (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
Salt has an excellent T20I strike rate of 164.33 - albeit in a small sample size of 11 games - and knows the Adelaide Oval having played for Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash.
Certainly, his form has impressed Michael Hussey, who is working with the England squad as a batting consultant on this trip.
"Phil Salt, I know he hasn't played on this tour but watching in the nets, the way he goes about it, the self-belief he has…" Hussey said. "Given the opportunity, I think he has something special."
England's ODI players arrive in Australia on Wednesday (November 9). While that does raise the distant possibility of the likes of Jason Roy, Sam Billings or James Vince winning a late call-up to play in the T20 World Cup final, they will not be considered for the semi.