England Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming 7-match T20I series against Pakistan and also, for the T20 World Cup which will take place in Australia later in the year. Some of the main players of England are not a part of the squad that will tour Pakistan.
England’s test captain Ben Stokes, their ODI opening batsman Jonny Bairstow, and one of their destructive middle order batsmen Liam Livingstone have been rested for the tour of Pakistan. A couple of fringe players like Ben Duckett and Will Jacks have got their opportunities for the Pakistan tour, but they have, understandably, not been included in the T20 WC squad.
England squad for the 7-match T20 series vs Pakistan:
Buttler (C), Moeen, Brook, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Duckett, Dawson, Gleeson, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Malan, Rashid, Salt, Olly Stone, Topley, Willey, Woakes, Luke Wood, Mark Wood.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 2, 2022
One significant news that has emerged out of the announcement of England’s squad is that their star opening batsman Jason Roy has been dropped, both for the tour of Pakistan and the T20 World Cup. Jason Roy was struggling with his form in T20 cricket for quite some time, but since he was highly experienced, it was expected that he would eventually be picked for the T20 World Cup.
However, the England selectors decided otherwise and Roy was dropped for the young opening batsman Phil Salt who also gives England another wicket-keeping option in the squad, apart from the captain Jos Buttler himself.
England squad for the T20 WC 2022:
Buttler (C), Moeen, Bairstow, Brook, Sam Curran, Jordan, Livingstone, Malan, Rashid, Salt, Stokes, Topley, Willey, Woakes, Wood.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 2, 2022
Ben Stokes is an option to open the batting for England in T20 World Cup
It will, however, be interesting to see who opens the batting for England in Roy’s absence in the T20 World Cup. Whether they promote Jonny Bairstow up the order to open the batting in T20Is too or Salt comes straight into the XI to occupy the spot vacated by Roy.
The allrounder Ben Stokes is also an option for England to open the batting, as he has performed that role for Rajasthan Royals a few times in the IPL. Stokes has actually got a hundred to his name while opening the batting in the IPL.
