Jofra Archer has been named in England’s T20 World Cup squad, marking a significant step in his recovery from injury. The pace bowler, who missed the last two Tests of the Ashes series, is part of a provisional 15-man squad set to compete in the tournament scheduled for February and March 2024 in India and Sri Lanka.
Despite his absence during the Ashes, Archer’s inclusion reflects England’s confidence in his recovery from a side strain sustained during the third Test in Adelaide. He is not participating in the upcoming ODIs and T20s in Sri Lanka but is expected to be ready for the World Cup opener against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8, 2024.
In contrast, Jamie Smith has been omitted from both the World Cup and the Sri Lanka tour following a difficult Ashes series. Additionally, Jordan Cox will also miss the opportunity to partake in the tournament. The selectors have opted to reward Josh Tongue for his impressive performance in the Ashes, where he took 12 wickets in just two Tests. Tongue is included in the T20 World Cup squad despite having no prior experience in white-ball internationals.
Following an early defeat in the Ashes series, where England lost the first three Tests, the T20 World Cup presents a chance for the team to regroup and reassess its direction. This tournament could have implications for the futures of head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key.
England’s lead-up to the World Cup will include three one-day internationals and three T20 matches in Sri Lanka. These matches are crucial, as England aims to secure an automatic qualification for the 50-over World Cup in 2027. Currently, England ranks eighth in the ODI standings, with the top nine teams qualifying for the tournament to be held in southern Africa.
Captain Harry Brook will lead a full-strength squad despite the quick turnaround from the Ashes. The team departs Australia after the fifth Test on January 9, 2024, and arrives in Sri Lanka on January 18, 2024. The first ODI is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
Players including Archer, Brook, Tongue, and veteran Joe Root are expected to play significant roles in England’s upcoming white-ball matches. Archer, regarded as England’s premier white-ball bowler, will be pivotal if he fully recovers in time. Meanwhile, Brydon Carse will provide cover during the Sri Lanka tour.
The England squad for the ODIs in Sri Lanka includes: Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, and Luke Wood.
For the T20s and World Cup, the squad features: Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer (World Cup only), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse (Sri Lanka tour only), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, and Josh Tongue.
Smith, who has been England’s one-day opener in their last nine matches, struggled during the Ashes, securing only one half-century in eight innings. In contrast, Tongue’s breakout performance has positioned him as a key player for the future, although he is excluded from the ODI squad.
Cox, despite being the leading run-scorer in last year’s Hundred, will not feature, while Tom Banton has been chosen to bolster the middle order. Duckett remains in both squads despite a challenging Ashes campaign, and he is set to partner with Crawley in the one-day internationals as England seeks to build a robust combination for the future.
As England prepares, they will compete in Group C of the T20 World Cup alongside Nepal, West Indies, Bangladesh, and tournament debutants Italy. Matches will be held in Kolkata and Mumbai, and advancing to the second round will depend on finishing in the top two of their group. The subsequent stage could see them face strong teams like New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with a chance to progress to the semi-finals at stake.
