Sussex batsman Phil Salt has been called up by England.

The hard-hitting opener joins the squad to face Pakistan in a Twenty20 international in Cardiff tomorrow (2.30pm).

Salt is considered one of the brightest talents in the country and has been entrusted with top-of-the-order responsibility in all formats by Sussex head coach Jason Gillespie.

He has been called up to replace the injured Dawid Malan (groin) and joins county colleagues Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer in the squad.

Salt is Welsh, born in Denbighshire, but learnt his batting skills while living in the Caribbean.

He played club cricket for Brighton and Hove and was touted for an England call by Ian Botham at one stage last year, albeit for the Test arena.

Asked about international ambitions at the start of the season, he told The Argus: “I would love play for England. International cricket is the pinnacle but I’m not looking too far ahead.

“If I keep doing the right things here and keep winning games for Sussex, hopefully one day that dream will become a reality.

“I got a bit of stick (over the Botham comments). Who knows? If I keep performing, keep getting my names in those sorts of circles, keep getting talked about, then hopefully, one day it will come true.”