ICC T20: England squad profile

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has begun on 19th October and the group stages games are going on.

A total of 8 teams have participated in two groups A and B respectively.

Only two teams will qualify from each group for the Super 12, for which the contest is going on.

England is part of Group 1 along with teams like Australia, South Africa and West Indies.

Yesterday, England played a warm-up match against New Zealand and won it by 13 runs.

England, the runners-up of the 2016 men’s T20 World Cup and winners in 2010, will hope to go one better in the upcoming event.

In the first match, England will face West Indies on 23 October.

England Men’s Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, said: “We are excited about the prospect of challenging to win the ICC T20 World Cup.”

“I believe we have selected a squad that covers all bases and has the depth to be successful in what is expected to be a very competitive tournament featuring the best players in the world.

Strengths

England will be hoping to become the first team to complete the World Cup double as Eoin Morgan’s men head into the T20 World Cup in the UAE as one of the favourites.

England won the 2019 World Cup and will be looking to win their 2nd title in the shortest format of the game.

Jos Buttler is England’s main weapon in the shorter formats of the game.

Though the team has many proven match-winners, there is none quite like wicketkeeper-batsman Buttler.

In the second ODI against Pakistan, he hit a blazing 110 off 55 balls at a strike rate of 200, laced with six fours and nine sixes, surely one of the best ODI batting performances you will ever see.

The day Butler is on the song, England will be in a position to defeat any team on the planet.

Apart from Buttler, there is a wealth of batting firepower in the England squad with the likes of Johnny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Jason Roy Dawid Malan and captain Eoin Morgan. 

Weakness 

England has very few options in pace apart from Mark Wood.

England have recalled experienced all-rounders Chris Woakes and David Willey to support the pace attack.

Woakes has been a mainstay of the one-day international side but has not featured in a T20 squad since 2015.

David Willey was a star performer when the Lankans toured England, grabbing 3 for 27 as the tourists were bowled out for 91.

Both Willey and Woakes depend on the swing to get some early breakthroughs.

England will rue the absence of Ben Stokes, the all-rounder, who will continue his indefinite break from cricket to prioritize his mental well-being.

Sussex fast bowler Tymal Mills returns to the international set-up for the first time since February 2017.

This summer, the left-arm quick has been impressive in the Vitality T20 Blast, where he has helped Sussex reach Finals Day.

He also showcased his skills in The Hundred, helping Southern Brave lift the trophy in the tournament’s inaugural year.

Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali will handle the spin department for the team in association with Liam Livingstone.

Jofra Archer and Sam Curran will miss the tournament because of fitness issues.

Archer has been on a long injury break, while Curran got injured during his IPL 2021 stint with the Chennai Super Kings.

England has announced a 15 man squad, for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, and the details of the players participating in the World Cup are given below.

England’s Squad

Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Reserves: Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, James Vince