England have named their provisional 15-man squad for the World Cup on August 16, Wednesday. The Three Lions are the defending champions, having won their maiden ODI title four years ago in an epic final at Lord’s against New Zealand. They will kick-off their title defence on October 5, against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
The two major talking points from England’s provisional World Cup squad: Ben Stokes returns to the ODI side after announcing his retirement last year with Harry Brook missing out; second – fast bowler Jofra Archer is not named in the squad, but he will travel to India, and if he miraculously recovers from injury, he could be drafted in the final squad.
This is a provisional squad, and it can be tweaked until September 28.
England’s provisional squad for World Cup 2023:
Jos Buttler (C,wk), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Sam Curran, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, David Willey, and Gus Atkinson.
Jofra Archer was England’s leading wicket-taker in the 2019 World Cup and bowled the Super Over in the final vs New Zealand. But his elbow injury since 2021 has kept him out of action for long periods.
He returned this year in SA20, played in ODI series in South Africa and Bangladesh, and even picked up a six-wicket haul. He started the IPL 2023 for Mumbai Indians, but his elbow injury flared up again and he’s been out of action since May.
England’s selector Luke Wright stated that England were “desperate” to have Archer in the squad, but don’t want to rush him.
If Archer is fit by the second half of the tournament, and another player in the squad gets injured, then he could come in, but the long is road and uncertain at the moment.
Because of 9 leagues game scheduled in a space of less than 40 days, plus, if they reach the knockouts, England have picked an extra seamer over a batsman.
With Archer unfit, England have given a call-up to fast bower Gus Atkinson, who has impressed with his high pace, bowling 95 KPMH in his recent The Hundred match for Oval Invincibles. Mark Wood is another pacer who provides a high pace.
Chris Woakes Sam Curran, and David Willey are three medium-pace swing dominant all-rounders. Reece Topley, who has been impressive in the past year with both his new ball and old ball skillset, finds a place in the squad too.
Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone are spin-bowling all-rounders and they will have the spin support of Joe Root, while Adil Rashid is the sole proper spinner in the squad.
England have trusted Jason Roy despite his indifferent form in the past 18 months. Joe Root returns to the ODI side with his expertise against spinners to boot, while Dawid Malan is the back-up batsman in the squad.
