I can’t recall having the sort of team available before a major competition that, even without someone as ridiculously in form as Jonny Bairstow or as quality as Jofra Archer, should win the whole thing as long as they play to potential. Even before the successful 50 over World Cup in 2019 the team wasn’t this strong in my opinion. I also can’t recall in my lifetime having seen an English player bowl at 97 mph in an international match, I mean 😲. Take a bow Mark Wood – and supposedly he’s not even match fit!
With extreme quality comes selection headaches however, let’s take a look at my starting eleven, since this is my blog an’ all.
Let’s break it down:
Jos Buttler
A no brainer to open – though it could be any one of the top 8! This seasons best batsman at the IPL – 863 runs at an average of 57.53 in 17 innings, an incredible batsman who can score anywhere.
Phil Salt
I’m going with Phil Salt to open over Alex Hales – yes I know Hales has an excellent record in the big bash but Salt just edged him in the last series against Pakistan. Although there’s not much in it with the bat Hales’ fielding was very ordinary and (though I know he won’t) I’d prefer Salt to keep over Buttler. Also one other consideration – I think Salt has yet to reach his maximum potential, whereas Hales is likely as good as he is going to get.
Dawid Malan
There’s a wealth of people saying Malan doesn’t score quick enough for T20 (at least up until this latest series), but how can you leave out statistically one of the best T20 batsman EVER! You simply can’t, and he has massively improved his strike rate in the first 10 balls faced this year (according to Wisden it’s because he’s tried to hit more boundaries. His initial attacking shot percentage is now 70 per cent, much improved from when it sat below 50 per cent previously). He would’ve been in before anyway, but even more so now his S/R and start is improved.
Ben Stokes
It would’ve been easy to put Brook in here as he’s done well in the ‘Bairstow’ slot, but let us remember the 50 over world cup, and even Stokes’ recent test innings. He is a devastating batsman and needs to be hitting up the order in my opinion. Yes he would also do well in the finisher slots but I’m going for #4 for my team! Obviously he will bowl too and is the pick of the absolutely excellent array of all-rounders we have to choose from.
Liam Livingstone
Rumours are that he may not be fit for the opener against Afghanistan, I bet they are happy to hear this. Whatever you bowl he will try and hit it over the ropes! Here’s an explanation from Nasser on why he is so good at hitting sixes (and he’s not a bad bowler too).
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/12387300/what-makes-livingstone-so-good
Harry Brook
I’ve been really impressed with this kid, he clearly has a great eye and will be a star for England in all formats in the future. He performed very well in Pakistan and has earned his place.
Moeen Ali
It seems crazy that someone as good at batting as Moeen is coming in at #6, but who would you displace?? Just shows the ridiculous strength in depth of the batting when someone capable of this kind of innings comes in so far down the order.
And he can turn his arm over a bit too! Massive experience and quality all round, and an impressive job as captain in the last series.
Sam Curran
I’ve opted for Curran as another all-rounder instead of Willey, or a bowler in Topley – Having watched him bat for Oval Invincibles in the Hundred this year I’m convinced of his temperament for match finishing and with Wood, Stokes and Jordan we have enough good fast bowlers with a bit of bounce. Curran is a skiddy left hander which offers a bit of variation. Currans got the edge over Willey in international experience too and when it comes down to it he has proven he has the temperament.
Chris Jordan
Yet another all-rounder (albeit a bowling one) and a death bowling specialist to boot, Jordan has to make the team. He has a wealth of experience and offers those pacy yorkers that are so hard to score from. Despite having a very mixed year, with a truly horrible IPL season, he came good for England and Surrey in the back end, so just gets the nod for me.
Mark Wood
Piiiiaoooowww – that’s the sound of a 100 mph bouncer screaming past your ear. I’m excited to see if he can break that barrier in the world cup on those Australian bouncy tracks. More importantly we saw in the recent series what a difference his pace made against Pakistan – it’s an added dimension and level of difficulty for batters that we’ve been lacking for a while. Plus he provided one of my favourite moments of the summer bowling club cricket on his return to fitness – watch those batsman jump!
Adil Rashid
Probably a little harsh on Adil to put him in at number 11, but Wood swings his arms a bit more – Adil is a good batsman, but he’s not a six hitter. He’s indispensable to the England bowling attack however, with his wicket taking deliveries. I for one am very pleased to see leg spin an essential part of the T20 game nowadays and Adil is one of the very best. He’s currently ranked 3rd in the ICC ratings and as you can see has been up thereabouts for a long time (I wish he would still play test cricket…)
So, tell me what you think of my selection in the comments. We have so much strength in depth I can’t wait for the competition to start.
Adil is a skillful batsman, he can rotate if a batter is in. By the time you get to numbers 10 & 11 is probably over with the skill of death bowlers about anyway. Great site. Looking forward to following it during T20WC