Born in Bodelwyddan, raised in Barbados and now back in Wales for the summer as a genuine England star, Phil Salt has travelled a long cricketing path. The 29-year-old England T20 international is preparing to captain Welsh Fire men in The Hundred, where the campaign begins with a men's and women's double header at Southern Brave on 22 July.
Salt leads a team that includes former England captain Joe Root and ex-Test batter Chris Woakes. He says the move felt natural when the auctions took place earlier this year, and his background - born in North Wales to a Welsh mother, raised initially in St Asaph - makes him a strong fit to lead the Cardiff-based side.
Despite living away for almost 20 years, Salt says he has always felt Welsh and remains proud of his roots. He is also the top men's scorer in The Hundred with 1,138 runs since the competition began in 2021.
"When the auctions were happening earlier this year, it felt like a no-brainer to join Welsh Fire," says Salt, the top men's scorer in The Hundred with 1,138 runs since the competition started in 2021.
"I'm very proud of being a North Walian, of being born and brought up in that part of the world until I was 11.
"When I moved to Barbados, because of my dad's job, it was a bit of a job trying to explain to people where I was from.
"The other kids would say to me 'North Wales? Where's that?!' I was giving out geography lessons aged 11. But I always felt Welsh. 100%."
Salt enters Welsh Fire's new campaign after playing a key role for England as an opening batter in their 4-0 T20 series win over India. The Lancashire batter top scored with 70 in the third T20 and has been a regular feature of England's white-ball teams since making his debut in 2021.
Facing Pakistan in a one-day international in Cardiff also made him the first Welshman to represent England since former Glamorgan pace bowler Simon Jones in 2005. Salt says his Welsh mother was not entirely comfortable when he first started wearing the England shirt.
"Being a proud Welshman, but obviously representing England... sometimes it's a bit of a grey area," he said.
"(Mum was) always very supportive, got behind the boys, but that's about where it stops. I've got to be careful sometimes with how I word it."
Sophie Munro, Phil Salt, Liv Barnes and the Compare the Market mascot recreate The Beatles' iconic Abbey Road walkout
Salt's sporting path could have been different had he continued with football, the game he first loved as a child. Before cricket became his main focus, he played for Denbigh Town and Rhyl and saw himself as a hard-working midfielder rather than a record-breaker.
Football Salt's first calling
It is possible Salt might have ended with a red Welsh dragon on his shirt instead of three lions had he stuck to his first sporting love as a child.
"As I kid, I was more into my football than anything else - I played for Denbigh Town and Rhyl," he said.
"I was a very honest footballer, shall we say - sitting in the middle of the park, doing a lot of running - I wasn't breaking any records.
"But I started playing cricket for North-East Wales Under-11s as an under-age player - that was like getting a ticket to a chocolate factory to me, it was unbelievable.
"Then I moved to Barbados and cricket kind of became the focus.
"Anytime the West Indies were playing in Barbados, we'd go and watch them.
"It's ridiculous, the talent out there. They must produce the most cricketers in the world per square foot."
A cricket scholarship in Surrey brought Salt back to the UK at 15, before his professional breakthrough at Sussex and later moves to Lancashire and the Indian Premier League.
Fire no longer a slow burner?
Welsh Fire men's and women's teams both finished bottom in 2025
Salt arrives in The Hundred with strong credentials, having finished as top run scorer and reached the final twice with Manchester Originals in 2022 and 2023. He believes Welsh Fire can move beyond their disappointing history and become contenders.
The Cardiff-based franchise has been the worst-performing side in the tournament's short history, with both the men's and women's teams finishing bottom in 2025. Neither team has won the competition, and the men are yet to reach the play-offs, although there is renewed optimism after tech billionaire Sanjay Govil bought a 50% share of the team for £40m.
Salt says that gives him confidence the team can turn a corner and offer supporters more to celebrate.
"Historically, Welsh Fire haven't done that well, they haven't given fans much to get excited about, but I see this as a good opportunity to change things. It excites me," said Salt.
Speaking at a Compare the Market event for The Hundred, Salt said the Sophia Gardens pitch, together with dressing room music from indie-rock band Blossoms, should help encourage high-scoring cricket. He also said the two other 2026 recruits - Glamorgan pair Ben Kellaway and Asa Tribe - will add local knowledge and a Welsh heartbeat to the squad.
The team believes it has the experience needed to compete strongly in the campaign ahead, and Salt is clear about the approach Welsh Fire must take.
"We've got so much experience in the dressing room," said Salt.
"There's been a lot of talk about the wicket - it looks like a really good place to play cricket when you look at the Glamorgan scores this season.
"We've got to start fast, and play lots of front-foot, aggressive cricket.
"Can we win the competition? Definitely. I don't see why not."
