England’s 50-plus World Cup defense in India last autumn was an absolute disaster. Only three wins in nine games, two of them after elimination.
But now they’re getting a new edition, so to speak.
Jos Buttler’s side will battle to defend their T20 World Cup title live in the West Indies in June on Sky Sportsafter winning this tournament in Australia at the end of 2022.
Ben Stokes was the key player in a nervy chase against Pakistan in the final at the MCG two years ago but will not take part in the 2024 tournament as he was not available for selection.
So who will be included in England’s provisional 15-man squad, due to be named next week ahead of the May 1 deadline? We look to those who are secure in their place and to those who still hope and dream…
The certainties (if applicable)
There seems to be little doubt about that Butler And Phil Salt will open the batting line-up for England.
The skipper has always wanted to do this and looks in fine form at the moment after two hundreds in three innings for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, while Salt secured his place on the Caribbean tour in December with back-to-back centuries. He hit a total of 19 sixes in these two innings.
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Buttler’s 107 leads Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling final-ball victory over Kolkata Knight Riders
The inclusion of Salt also gives Buttler the opportunity to captain from the middle and instead give the wicketkeeping gloves to his opening partner – or perhaps Jonny Bairstow if he can manage it.
Harry Brooks looks like a middle-order lock while spin bowling is an all-rounder Liam Livingstone And Moeen Ali seem to have secured a place in the squad, if not 11th. It could be Moeen’s last hurrah in international cricket as he turns 37 midway through the tournament.
Moeen’s long-time spin bowling partner Adil Rashid is arguably England’s most important player. The leggie rose to the top of the T20I rankings for the first time in his career during the series against West Indies late last year, scoring just 6.20 per over while other bowlers were beaten for sixes.
seam bowling wise, Jofra Archer He is expected to be named in England’s first squad as a fellow speedster continues his comeback from a series of injuries Mark Wood should join him.
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Men’s managing director Rob Key says England need to be flexible with Jofra Archer in order to guide him back to full fitness
We can probably color all-rounders too Sam CurranPlayer of the tournament at the last T20 World Cup.
The left-hander had a shocking 50-over World Cup win last year but is enjoying a decent IPL with the ball for the Punjab Kings, while he started this competition with a half-century.
The hopefuls
Curran’s Kings teammate Bairstow doesn’t enjoy a decent IPL.
He was dropped by his franchise after averaging just 16 in his first six innings, continuing his poor form from England’s 4-1 Test series loss in India earlier this year in which he struck out 10 times reached 40.
England are loyal to their players but can also be ruthless, as Jason Roy discovered before the last two World Cups. Bairstow – a key part of his country’s rapid rise after 2015 – could now be sweating in his place, although he is still likely to be in the top four.
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Will Jacks hit a 41-ball century for Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 earlier this year
Will Jacks It seems he has a good chance of joining him as his hard hitting – he hit a 41-ball hundred in the SA20 earlier this year – and off-spin bowling make him an attractive choice.
Test opener Ben Duckett is also eyeing a middle-order T20 slot and with Stokes missing and Dawid Malan’s international career over, he would provide a valuable left-handed option.
Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton was considered a late bloomer for the side after an impressive run in franchise cricket around the world, including last summer’s Hundred, when he scored over 200 runs at a strike rate of 181.98 for the Manchester Originals.
However, the 30-year-old’s back has now become damaged and he will be asked to rest for a few weeks before undergoing further tests. A T20 debut may have to wait.
Jamie Overton’s T20 World Cup hopes could be derailed by injury
Leg spinner Rehan Ahmed and spinner for the left arm Tom Hartley could be vying for the final slow bowling spot while the other seamers are in the running Reece Topley, Tymal Mills, Chris Woakes And Gus Atkinson.
Topley has been arguably England’s best white-ball bowler when fit in recent years, Woakes has plenty of experience, Mills can combine extreme pace with clever slower balls and Atkinson looks to be the long-term successor to his pacey counterpart Wood across all formats be.
The outsider
It would be a surprise if anyone outside of the players already mentioned crashed the roster Joe Root – for all his reverse scoops – is now only considered a Test and ODI player; England has put aging behind it At times; and Zak Crawley’s Path to a strike point blocked by others.
Joe Root has not made a T20 appearance for England since May 2019
Fast left arm Luke Wood and right-arm fast bowlers Brydon Carse And Richard Gleeson will likely require injuries to others – lots of them – to compete in the World Cup.
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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