Jofra Archer, uncapped Joshua Tongue included in England’s T20 World Cup squad

Jofra Archer on the left and Josh Tongue in the right. (FILE photo)

Jofra Archer who had to pull out of the Ashes mid-way through a side strain has been included in England’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup set to begin in India and Sri Lanka on February 7. Apart from Archer, England have also included pacer Joshua Tongue, who is yet to play any limited-overs internationals in the squad, to be led by Harry Brook.

The other major change that England have undertaken is to bring back Ben Duckett as an opener in place of Jamie Smith. The left-hander wasn’t part of England’s squad for the recent T20Is against New Zealand where Smith was preferred.

England, winners of the T20 World Cup in 2010 and 2022, have been struggling in white-ball cricket in recent times. Although they made the semi-finals of the last edition, where they lost to India, England have been out of depth in white-ball cricket. Post that tournament, England turned towards Brook to captain the T20 side and as they look to get the team back on track at the World Cup, they will have the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka as ideal preparation.

Jofra Archer in action. (FILE photo)

Though their form has been a  cause of concern as a whole, England will head to the World Cup with a strong set of players. In Phil Salt, Buttler and Will Jacks have batsmen who can bring firepower at the top of the order. Then there are also the likes of Duckett, Brook, Jacob Bethel and Tom Banton who bring flexibility to their batting ranks.

For the all-rounder slot, England have Sam Curran, Jamie Overton with Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed being the preferred option for spin. There is no space for injured Mark Wood in the squad, whose pace could have well been a difference in the flat decks.

Having endured a disappointing Ashes tour where they are 1-3 down going into the fifth and final Test at Sydney, England have a chance to end the season on a high.

England are in Group C, where they are clubbed alongside former champions West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal and Italy, which is making its maiden appearance in the World Cup.

Squad: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.