The Talking Points from England’s T20 World Cup Squad: Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett and More

Was it a risk to call Jofra Archer into the England squad? Were there any surprising decisions or notable omissions? We take a closer look at those heading to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States…

England have named a provisional 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup – starting on June 1 – and the previous four-match T20 series against Pakistan, starting on May 22, with every game of both Live on Sky Sports.

Archer was included despite not having played for England since last March and not playing cricket for a year due to a right elbow injury. Experienced seamer Chris Jordan and Tom Hartley, who has not yet played for the international game, are also in Jos Buttler’s squad.

Hartley provides an additional spin option to established duo Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, while Mark Wood and Reece Topley join Archer and Jordan in the seam department.

2022 Players of the Tournament Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone are the all-rounders, with Harry Brook also returning from his last win in the T20 World Cup. Jonny Bairstow, Phil Salt and Will Jacks are all in the mix after impressing in the Indian Premier League in recent weeks.

Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain discussed the squad announcement on the latest Sky Sports Cricket podcast, where they reflected on all the talking points and took a closer look at how they might line up during the tournament.

“It’s a pretty predictable squad,” Atherton said. “There is a strong core of experienced players with some fresh blood like Jacks and Hartley. There is no real bolter that no one thought of and was suddenly chosen by the selection. If we were to pick 15 names, we would come up with something like 15.

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Is Archer’s selection a gamble?

Archer has not played competitive cricket since last May due to a recurrence of a stress fracture in his troublesome right elbow and has not played internationally since last March, although he can lead the England attack when fully fit.

Atherton: “He will definitely improve England’s team if he is available because he is a multi-phase bowler. He can bowl quickly with the new ball, he can step in mid-innings and bowl lightning strikes for an over or two when needed, then he clearly has the ability to bowl the yorkers at the death.

Hussain: “You would say that Jofra is the headliner, right? He recently did an interview where he said he wasn’t sure if he could go through another injury (long injury). We wish Jofra all the best because he is absolutely a blockbuster.”

What will England’s batting line-up look like?

Hussain: “Jos Buttler and Salt will probably open after what happened in the Caribbean. Will Jacks probably comes in at number 3 after what happened in the IPL and then Bairstow there at number 4. You would say all four would like to bat in the top three if not open.

“Could we see Brook at four or even Duckett at four? Could Duckett come into this side as a left-hander in the absence of Ben Stokes, who said he wouldn’t be considered for it? Or is it just a…”substitute dough?”

Atherton: “I thought they would put Buttler, Salt, Jacks, Bairstow, Brook, Livingstone in the top six. Then there are a couple of lefties in Moeen and Curran who could float if you need them.”

“The only problem with these top six – if any – is that they are right-handed top six. It’s nice to have the ability to mix left and right, so I’m sure that worked to Duckett’s advantage.”

Is the England squad balanced?

England opted for the extra batsman in Duckett rather than opting for an additional all-rounder option, with Chris Woakes – one of the players who struggled during last autumn’s dismal 50-over World Cup defense – among those who had to do without it.

Atherton: “Someone like Max Holden can’t be far away and I think he’s someone whose T20 game has progressed by leaps and bounds for Middlesex. Tom Kohler-Cadmore was probably in discussion and maybe Jordan Cox, who has just moved to Essex.”

“Duckett has been with the team for a year or two, has made the transition to international cricket pretty well and when he’s not in the top six then he’s a good backup batsman. He is an excellent spin player and an excellent sweeper.”

Hussain: “I was asked to play my side and I had both Woakes and Jordan with me because I wouldn’t have taken the extra batsman because there are so many batting options there. Jordan is brilliant in all phases, is great on the field and he.” Points, which are very useful, run in order.

Will Buttler keep the gloves or join Salt?

Stopwatches will become a staple at the T20 World Cup. Teams will receive two warnings if they fail to start a new run within 60 seconds before further violations result in a five-run penalty per incident. But that could make life more difficult for Buttler. How to balance captain and keeper?

Atherton: “If I were Matthew [Mott]I would just say to Jos, ‘What do you want to do?’ If he gets more comfortable and feels that being an outfielder is beneficial to teams, Salt can keep the wicket.

“Jos knows deep down what he wants and what he thinks is best. He’s the main man, he’s the captain and he’s such an important player up front. As we saw when he got into form. “In the IPL, when Buttler is doing well, it makes a huge difference.”

Is there pressure on England?

Hussain: “T20 is a lottery anyway but winning this thing with some teams out there will be the toughest thing. You look at the host country in the West Indies, you look at South Africa and their batting line-up.”

“India are coming here after the IPL and some players getting into form and Australia are aiming for the treble of the 50-over, 20-over and Test Championships, so they are hoping for the maximum.” Whack. There are many good teams.

Atherton: “I’m not sure you can judge England based on whether they win this tournament because T20 is more of a lottery and it’s very difficult to pick the winners. What they have to be judged on in this tournament, Mott and Buttler, is simply preservation. “Most of the big decisions are right.

“I don’t think you can guarantee you’ll win even if you do, but you want to see evidence that the ship is running well. I think what India showed in the Over-50 World Cup is that there are too many. “The things they had control over went well, so they have to deliver a better tournament.”

When does England’s World Cup defense start?

Ahead of the World Cup, England’s four-match T20 series against Pakistan can be seen live on Sky Sports, starting at Headingley on May 22nd, with further games taking place at Edgbaston (May 25th), Cardiff (May 28th) and The Oval (May 30th). . May).

Buttler’s side begin their title defense against Scotland in Barbados on June 4 before playing Australia at the same venue on June 8. They then face Oman in Antigua on June 13th and Namibia at the same venue two days later, with the top two teams being eliminated. The group then gained promotion to the Super 8.

Watch every match of the T20 World Cup, plus England’s four-match T20I series at home against Pakistan in May, live on Sky Sports Cricket or stream with NOW.

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