England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is ramping up the excitement of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is slated to begin on June 1, 2024. The premier 20-over tournament, jointly hosted by the West Indies and the USA, begins in just over a month, and all 20 teams are busy preparing for it.
The crown is now in the hands of England, who won their second title in the shorter format of the game after defeating Pakistan in the 2022 World Cup final. Under the leadership of Jos Buttler, the English team will once again enter the tournament as favourites with a formidable batting unit.
England’s most recent T20I series was against West Indies, in which they lost 3-2. The only T20Is on England’s calendar between now and the WC are the four home T20Is they have scheduled against Pakistan in May. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is currently busy building a strong unit and here we present their probable 15-man squad for the marquee event.
Click here: T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule
Here is England’s probable 15-member squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup
1. Jos Buttler (c & wk)
Jos Buttler. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
England have multiple options for the opening role despite Alex Hales taking retirement from international cricket. Hales and Jos Buttler were the openers for the 2022 World Cup and the latter may continue in the role this time as well.
The English skipper is currently opening for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2024 and has already won two matches for them with scintillating centuries. Notably, he also opened the innings for England in their recent bilateral series against West Indies. Buttler’s blistering start will play a crucial role in England’s title defence.
2. Philip Salt (wk)
Phil-Salt. (Photo Source: X/Twitter)
Phil Salt is another wicket-keeping and opening option for The Three Lions. He opened alongside Buttler in the five-match series against West Indies and currently holds the same job title for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2024 IPL.
Known for his explosive shots, Salt has so far played 21 T20I matches and amassed 639 runs. This includes two swashbuckling back-to-back hundreds scored against the Windies. His blazing start for KKR and recent form on Caribbean soil will make him a strong contender for England’s World Cup opener.
3. Will Jacks
Will Jacks. (Source -Twitter/X)
Will Jacks opened the innings in the four-match T20I series against New Zealand last year. The right-hander made waves in the English domestic circuit and earned a spot in the national team. He is also an opening batter, but can also shine at number three, which he currently does effectively for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL.
Jack is a tall man and can clear boundaries with ease. He can also chip in with some crucial wickets in the middle overs. The big-hitting spinner is expected to create a balance in the English team in the upcoming World Cup.
4. Jonny Bairstow (wk)
Jonny Bairstow. (Source -Getty Images)
One of the brand ambassadors of England’s ‘bazball’ cricket, Jonny Bairstow can play the opening role as well as patrol the middle order. With plenty of opening options available, England may consider him at No. 4 of 5, and he has been successful in this position in the past. However, Bairstow opened the batting alongside Will Jacks against New Zealand.
Having played 70 T20I matches to date and scored over 1500 runs, the keeper-batter is an experienced campaigner for the English side. However, his current form in the ongoing IPL is a worry for Buttler and Co. The right-hander has yet to play an impressive innings for Punjab Kings (PBKS) and has lost his place in the playing XI due to his lean patch.
5. Harry Brook
Harry Brook. (Photo Source: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Probably one of the top scorers in the ‘Bazball’ academy. Regarded as a generational talent, Harry Brook has emerged as a promising talent for England across all formats. The hard-hitting middle-order batter is currently away from cricket action due to family reasons but will be ready for the mega tournament in June.
Brook did not have the best outing in the upcoming World Cup venue when his team clashed against the Windies last December. He managed to score only 50 runs in five innings. While this may be a concern, England won’t worry too much given his talent. The right-hander has played 29 T20Is so far and has amassed 544 runs at a strike rate of 144.68, including two half-centuries.
6. Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone (Photo Source: Twitter)
England are blessed with many quality all-rounders and Liam Livingstone is one of those who can make an impact both with bat and bowl. Batting in the middle-order, Livingstone can hit big sixes and score at a rapid pace. Notably, he holds the record for the fastest hundred in T20I for England.
He is someone who can go berserk right from the word go and very difficult player to control once he is on song. Livingstone can also chip in with leg-breaks/off-breaks deliveries and is a gun fielder too, making him a perfect package for the shorter format of the game.
7. Moeen Ali
Moeen ali. (Photo Source: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Adil Rashid will be England’s primary spin option and it will be the responsibility of all-rounder Moeen Ali to provide him with good support. Moeen is flexible and can be used at different stages of the game – during the Powerplay the middle overs and at the death.
The 36-year-old is also a pinch-hitter and can bat in a variety of positions. His past heroics with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at No.3 may prompt England to move the off-spinner up the order, but given plenty of options, Moeen is likely to bat in the lower middle order.
Also Read: India’s Probable 15-Member Squad for T20 World Cup 2024
8. Sam Curran
Sam Curran and Babar Azam. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Reigning T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament Sam Curran is a sure pick in the all-rounder category. In the absence of Ben Stokes, the left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder will have a tough job to do on Caribbean soil. Curran was part of England’s recent two T20I series and is currently playing for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2024.
His left-arm seam deliveries with the new ball can trouble right-handers, and for the same reason, he often opens the bowling attack. He is also a handy lower-order batter, making him a vital cog in the England squad.
9. Chris Woakes
Chris Woakes. (Source -Getty Images)
Chris Woakes was brilliant in England’s triumphant outing in the 2022 tournament and he will be expected to perform similarly in the upcoming edition. His pace and seam delivery can give England crucial breakthroughs. Woakes can also play decisive knocks with the bat down the order.
To date, the right-arm fast bowling all-rounder has played 33 T20 matches and has taken 31 wickets and scored 146 runs. Notably, the 35-year-old was part of England’s T20I squad against West Indies. Woakes will bring all his experience to help England retain the WC title.
10. Adil Rashid
Adil Rashid. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Currently the best T20I bowler in the world, Adil Rashid is a guaranteed pick in England’s T20 World Cup squad. The right-arm spinner has been a match-winner in recent times and is expected to play a key role for The Three Lions in the upcoming mega event.
He was part of the team that played against New Zealand and West Indies. Rashid is one of the few English players to have played more than 100 T20 matches. The leg-spinner has taken 107 wickets at an economy of 7.39 and an average of 25.21, with best bowling figures of 4/2.
11. Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer. (Source -Getty Images)
England’s 2019 World Cup hero Jofra Archer has been struggling with injury issues in recent times last played for England in March 2023 during the Bangladesh tour. As per reports, the right-arm quick is working hard on his fitness and is aiming to play in the upcoming home T20I series against Pakistan.
Rob Key, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Director is optimistic about Archer’s participation in the World Cup. However, his availability will depend on his progress in the coming days. If Archer fails to clear his fitness test, expect Gus Atkinson to be involved in the mix.
12. Mark Wood
Mark Wood. (Photo Source: Twitter/ECB)
Mark Wood’s express-pace deliveries will be a threat to the opposition batters. The right-arm pacer has pulled out of the ongoing IPL season to manage his workload ahead of the T20 World Cup, following the instructions of the cricket board.
The 34-year-old will be used as a key weapon by Jos Buttler, especially in the death overs. He has picked up 45 wickets in 28 matches at an economy of 8.41 and an average of 18.6 with a best bowling figure of 3/9. If Jofra Archer fails to cut, Wood will have a huge responsibility in the mega event.
Also Read: Australia’s probable 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024
13. Tymal Mills
Tymal Mills. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Tymal Mills was once sidelined, but his redemption saw the left-arm pacer overtake Chris Jordan to become England’s go-to death bowler. The 31-year-old has played 16 T20 matches and has taken 14 wickets with a best bowling figure of 3/27. He also featured in England’s recent T20I series against the West Indies.
He can trouble the opposition batters with both sheer pace and slower balls. Conditions in the Caribbean and the USA may well suit the slower bowlers and Mills can be effective with his variations. Also, some teams, including India, have found themselves struggling against left-arm pacers, providing yet another reason to include Mills.
14. Rehan Ahmed
Rehan Ahmed. (Source -Getty Images)
Rehan Ahmed has a strong chance to serve as Adil Rashid’s backup option in the premier event. The leg-spinner was included in the playing XI against West Indies last December, showing that he is a good contender in the race for a World Cup spot.
He impressed the selectors when collecting six wickets from four innings during the Caribbean away series. Given the 19-year-old’s potential, it wouldn’t be surprising if he could cut. He can also chip in with some vital runs in the tail end.
15. Reece Topley
Reece Topley (Photo Source: Twitter)
Reece Topley is another injury-prone star in the English line-up. For the same reason, the left-arm fast bowler could not feature in the last two World Cups. Currently, he is playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2024 and will play for England after a month if he stays fit.
Topley has hunted 28 wickets in his 25 T20I outings for England. He usually opens the attack and those left-arm quick deliveries can unsettle the opposition batters in the Powerplay. Notably, the 30-year-old was part of the five-match T20I series against West Indies.