Phil Salt Cleared After Bat Size Controversy in Vitality Blast

Phil Salt Cleared of Bat Size Breach by ECB’s Anti-Corruption Unit

July 2025 – In a relief for both player and club, Phil Salt has been officially cleared of any wrongdoing following concerns raised about the size of his bat during a recent Vitality Blast match between Lancashire and Northamptonshire.

The Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC) confirmed the news on Tuesday after the ECB’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) completed a detailed review. The investigation stemmed from Salt’s bat failing an on-field bat gauge test during the early overs of Lancashire Lightning’s innings.

The Incident

In the first over of the chase, umpires conducted a standard gauge test to ensure Salt’s bat met the size regulations. Surprisingly, the bat did not pass through the gauge, prompting officials to raise concerns under ECB Directives 3.2 and 3.3 related to equipment compliance.

Salt, however, maintained that the bat had never triggered issues before — having used it consistently for England, Lancashire, and in the IPL over the past two years.

Post-Match Testing

After further checks following the match, the results were deemed inconclusive, as the bat passed the gauge test multiple times. Despite this, the bat was taken for additional testing under the ACU’s review protocols.

Final Verdict: No Breach

The Cricket Regulator’s Anti-Corruption Unit later confirmed that the bat complied fully with ECB regulations, clearing Salt of any breach. No penalties or actions will be taken.

“The bat was found to be compliant with the Regulations,” said LCCC in an official statement. “No further action will be taken.”

Club Reaction

Lancashire emphasized that the entire situation could have been handled better, citing issues with testing procedures and communication:

“This process could have been avoided with improved equipment and training,” the Club stated.
“There have been inappropriate comments by commentators, misleading media articles, and unsavoury social media posts toward the player.”

Moving Forward

While Salt continues to focus on his strong performances in the Vitality Blast, this episode highlights the need for greater clarity and consistency in on-field equipment checks.