England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, including pacers Jofra Archer. Archer couldn’t consistently play for the team due to injuries after the 2019 One Day World Cup. He has been out of competitive cricket for the past year due to elbow injuries. However, having recovered from injury, Archer has secured his place in England’s 15-member World Cup squad.
With Jos Buttler leading the mission to retain the World Cup trophy on the West Indies and USA , Archer, the right-arm pacer, will play a crucial role. England won the World Cup in 2022 under Buttler’s leadership.
Although Archer has been officially included in the squad, his physical fitness remains the only obstacle to his much-anticipated return, as ICC’s deadline for squad announcements is May 31. Despite being announced as a provisional member, the absence of reserve players might encourage Archer’s return to the squad.
Archer, who made his international debut for England just five years ago, has played only 15 T20 matches for England. However, his performance as a match-winner in this format has been remarkable.
Archer has a good understanding of the conditions in the Caribbean, having risen through the ranks in the Caribbean region.
Furthermore, another experienced pacer, Chris Jordan, has returned to the England squad after seven months. However, Chris Woakes, a member of the winning team of the One Day and T20 World Cups, failed to secure a place in the squad.
Tom Hartley, a new face in the World Cup squad, is a left-arm spinner. He has played five Tests and two One Day matches for England.
England will fly to the Caribbean Islands for the World Cup on May 31. Their first match in the group stage will be against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.
England’s T20 World Cup Squad:
Jos Buttler (Captain), Moeen Ali (Vice-Captain), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tom Hartley, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Reece Topley.
