Phil Salt is set to get first shot at replacing Ben Stokes in England's one-day side, slotting in behind an opening partnership that changed the way he played the game.
Stokes's retirement from the 50-over format leaves a huge hole in the team, and one that no rookie could possibly hope to fill given his all-round abilities and on-field aura.
But his departure, so soon after that of World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, does open up opportunities for fresh blood in a side that was once viewed as the hardest to break into in cricket.
Salt is in pole position to step in against South Africa on Friday, a must-win clash at his home ground of Old Trafford, and is eager to prove himself worthy of the chance.
"We've lost a couple of leaders in the dressing room, Stokesy the other day and Morgs retiring, and it does have an impact. But we have to keep moving forward," said Salt.
"We have all the leaders and senior players in the dressing room we need. And it's an opportunity for people such as myself, lads that have been around it and played bits and pieces but not had a solid run.
"I love playing at Old Trafford and, to be quite honest, I've just got to take this opportunity now with both hands. I've been on the fringes for a while and I want to get in there and show people what I can do."
-
BEN STOKES'S BEST ODI MOMENTS: Stokes during the presentation ceremony after helping England win the World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord's on July 14, 2019. AP -
One of the most significant moments of the 2019 World Cup against New Zealand. As Ben Stokes dived to make his ground during the run-chase, the ball deflected off his bat and went for a boundary. He scored an unbeaten 84 as England forced a tie and the match went into a Super Over, which the hosts won. AFP -
Ben Stokes's unbeaten 84 in the 2019 World Cup final is one of the greatest innings in ODI cricket. Reuters -
Ben Stokes hits a six during the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord's. AP -
Ben Stokes celebrates taking the catch of Andile Phehlukwayo of South Africa during the 2019 World Cup. It was one of the most acrobatic efforts in the outfield, with Stokes jumping to grab a one-handed catch. Getty -
Ben Stokes celebrates his century against Australia in their Champions Trophy match at Edgbaston on June 10, 2017. England were 35-3 chasing 278 before Stokes teamed up with Eoin Morgan to seal victory via D/L method. Reuters -
Ben Stokes was at his brutal best against India during the second ODI in Pune on March 26, 2021. He smashed 99 from just 52 balls with four fours and 10 sixes as England chased down 337 with more than six overs to spare. AFP -
Ben Stokes, left, scored his first ODI century against Bangladesh in Mirpur on October 7, 2016. Getty -
Ben Stokes will retire from ODI cricket on Tuesday, having played 104 matches with a little under 3,000 runs and 74 wickets. Reuters -
Ben Stokes has one five-wicket haul in his ODI career - against Australia back in 2013. Getty
The 25-year-old made his ODI debut under Stokes's captaincy last summer, in a scratch squad put together at the last minute following a Covid outbreak. He returned to the fold for the recent trip to the Netherlands and gave a strong account of himself in Matthew Mott's first series as head coach.
He hit a maiden international century, 122 in 93 balls, followed by scores of 77 and 49 as he deputised for Jonny Bairstow.
The Yorkshireman, who was busy putting together the form of his life in the Test arena, is now back in place and knocked up a record 14th hundred stand with Jason Roy in a losing cause at Chester-le-Street last time out.
Salt would prefer to kick things off at the head of the innings but, as someone who was inspired by the way Bairstow and Roy redefined the role in the build-up to the 2019 World Cup, he accepts a middle-order role awaits.
"I think I'm slotting in wherever the opportunity comes because that is the best opening partnership in 50-over cricket," he said.
"There's no doubt about that. Look at the numbers, the way they play and the way they've changed how the game is played."
Meanwhile, South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo will miss the final two matches of the ODI series against England as he is put through return to play protocols following a concussion in the first game on Tuesday, officials confirmed.
Phehlukwayo collided with captain Keshav Maharaj in the field as his head struck the latter’s shoulder, leading to a cut on the chin and a concussion in South Africa’s 62-run win at Chester-le-Street.
