England is the best white-ball team at the moment. The team has both the ODI World Cup and the T20 World Cup in its trophy cabinet right now. Even in Tests, after a run of poor form, the team has started to do well under the new management. It needs to be noted there has been a big influence of players from different countries on English cricket. In the past, the likes of Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen fell into this category. Even now, there are popular players in this group. We could even form an XI if we consider only active English cricketers. On that note, here, we take a look at the playing XI of active England cricketers who were born in different countries.
Note: To form this XI, we have only considered cricketers who were born in a different nation than England but have gone on to represent England across age groups.
Openers: Jason Roy (South Africa) and Sam Robson (Australia)
Jason Roy will be one of the openers in this playing XI of active England cricketers who were born in different countries. The English opener’s current form may not be great but he has had a big impact in the white-ball format. He was part of the squad that won the 2019 ODI World Cup. If he can arrest his bad form, he would also play in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Born in New South Wales, Sam Robson played age-group cricket in Australia. However, after he started representing Middlesex, his destination became clear. He has played seven Tests, so far, and has even scored an excellent century.
Middle-Order: Keaton Jennings (South Africa), Phil Salt (Wales) (WK), Gary Ballance (Zimbabwe)
Son of Ray Jennings, Keaton obtained a British passport because his mother was born in Sunderland. The southpaw played 17 Tests for England and can still enforce a comeback. Although part of the United Kingdom, Wales is still a different nation. Phil Salt is currently one of the highest-rated cricketers in England. There is a bright future ahead of the cricketer.
After playing various age-group games for Zimbabwe, Gary Ballance moved to England for academic purposes. Later, he represented England in 23 Tests and 16 ODIs. He still is active in the game.
All-Rounders: Ben Stokes (New Zealand) (C) and Jacob Bethell (Barbados)
Ben Stokes is the most high-profile name in this playing XI of active England cricketers who were born in different countries. Of course, it is well-known that Ben Stokes hails from New Zealand. He is the current Test captain and had a big role to play in the trophy wins for England in the white-ball format.
A Barbados-born all-rounder, Jacob Bethell has played for the England U19 Team. The 19-year-old is doing well domestically and can compete for a spot in the senior squad in a few years.
Bowlers: Tom Curran (South Africa) Chris Jordan (Barbados), Jofra Archer (Barbados) and Brydon Carse (South Africa)
Tom Curran’s father Kevin Curran played for Zimbabwe. While Tom was born in Zimbabwe, Sam Curran was born in England. Hence, we have Tom Curran in this XI. Tom has had injury issues but is seen as an intelligent T20 bowler.
Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer were both born in Barbados. Both have had a big impact on the white-ball squad for England. Jofra has even played a few Tests for the team. A right-arm quick bowler, Carse is the son of former Zimbabwe player James Alexander Carse. The pacer has played 9 ODIs for England, till now.
