How successful will be England's ICC T20 World Cup 2022 campaign?

[MenInG]

Squads named for ICC Men's T20 World Cup and Tour of Pakistan

England Men's selection panel have named squads for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia starting in October and the preceding seven-match tour of Pakistan, which gets underway later this month in Karachi.

England ICC Men's T20 World Cup Squad & Three-Match IT20 Series versus Australia
(15 players & three travelling reserves)

Jos Buttler (Lancashire) Captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Chris Jordan (Surrey)
Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Phil Salt (Lancashire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Reece Topley (Surrey)
David Willey (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Travelling Reserves

Liam Dawson (Hampshire)
Richard Gleeson (Lancashire)
Tymal Mills (Sussex)

England Men's IT20 Squad Tour of Pakistan
(19 players)

Jos Buttler (Lancashire) Captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire) Vice-Captain
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Jordan Cox (Kent)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Liam Dawson (Hampshire)
Richard Gleeson (Lancashire)
Tom Helm (Middlesex)
Will Jacks (Surrey)
Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Phil Salt (Lancashire)
Olly Stone (Warwickshire)
Reece Topley (Surrey)
David Willey (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Luke Wood (Lancashire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Seam bowlers Chris Woakes and Mark Wood have recovered from their respective injuries and have been named in both squads. Both players last played for England during the Test tour of the West Indies back in March.

Two players named in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad, Chris Jordan (finger) and Liam Livingstone (ankle), will continue their rehab and will not tour Pakistan ahead of the World Cup but remain on track to be fit for the tournament in Australia. England captain Jos Buttler, recovering from a calf injury, will tour Pakistan, but he is expected to be available to play during the latter stages of the seven-match series. In Buttler's absence, Moeen Ali will captain the side.

Five uncapped players have been announced for the first tour to Pakistan since 2005. Kent batter Jordan Cox is joined alongside Middlesex seamer Tom Helm, Surrey right-handed bat Will Jacks, Warwickshire quick Olly Stone and Lancashire seamer Luke Wood.

The touring party will fly to Pakistan on 14 September.

Ends

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 – England's Group Fixtures:
England v Afghanistan, Saturday 22 October 2022, Perth Stadium, Perth
England v Qualifier (B2), Wednesday 26 October 2022, MCG, Melbourne
England v Australia, Friday 28 October 2022, MCG, Melbourne
England v New Zealand, Tuesday 1 November 2022, The Gabba, Brisbane
England v Qualifier (A1), Saturday 5 November 2022, SCG, Sydney

Semi-finals
First semi-final, Wednesday 9 November 2022, SCG, Sydney
Second semi-final, Thursday 10 November 2022, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Final
Final, Sunday 13 November 2022, MCG, Melbourne

England Men's Pre-World Cup tour of Australia:
1st IT20: Australia v England, Sunday 9 October, Perth Stadium, Perth
2nd IT20: Australia v England, Wednesday 12 October, Manuka Oval, Canberra
3rd IT20: Australia v England Friday 14 October, Manuka Oval, Canberra

England Men's IT20 Tour of Pakistan:
1st IT20: Pakistan v England, 20 September, National Stadium, Karachi
2nd IT20: Pakistan v England, 22 September, National Stadium, Karachi
3rd IT20: Pakistan v England, 23 September, National Stadium, Karachi
4th IT20: Pakistan v England, 25 September, National Stadium, Karachi
5th IT20: Pakistan v England, 28 September, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
6th IT20: Pakistan v England, 30 September, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
7th IT20: Pakistan v England, 2 October, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

 

[Rana]

The squad to Pakistan is so depressing

It’s like an MCC tour squad!

 

[m.awais]

I don’t think so….

Only four players from the main squad are missing…. Liamstone and Chris Jordan are injured . Since both have played in PSL before, so I assume if they weren’t injured they would have toured.

So basically its only Stokes and Bairstow that are missing from their main squad.

I don’t see it as an MCC team.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

The squad to Pakistan is so depressing

It’s like an MCC tour squad!

Looks like England are not taking Pakistan seriously enough- No Stokes, Jordan, Bairstow or Livingstone.

All 1st XI players. Pakistan should destroy them 7-0 and teach them a lesson .

 

[Rana]

I don’t think so….

Only four players from the main squad are missing…. Liamstone and Chris Jordan are injured . Since both have played in PSL before, so I assume if they weren’t injured they would have toured.

So basically its only Stokes and Bairstow that are missing from their main squad.

I don’t see it as an MCC team.

Bairstow
Stokes
Curran bros
Morgan
Pietersen (commentator)

I would be surprised if any of them ever visit Pakistan in their lifetime

I’m shocked Butler hasn’t pulled out

 

[m.awais]

Bairstow
Stokes
Curran bros
Morgan
Pietersen (commentator)

I would be surprised if any of them ever visit Pakistan in their lifetime

I’m shocked Butler hasn’t pulled out

Well Curran has been named in the squad.
Morgan and Pietersen are already retired so whether they want to cone or not doesn’t matter.

 

[Rana]

Well Curran has been named in the squad.
Morgan and Pietersen are already retired so whether they want to cone or not doesn’t matter.

Actually you are right on Curran

Another major shock for me.

 

[MenInG]

So, all news of Moeen Ali captaining this side was fake!

 

[CricketingMinds]

The squad to Pakistan is so depressing

It’s like an MCC tour squad!

Squad to Pakistan has 11/15 same players as the WC squad. The only missing names from Pak tour are:
Jordan (injured)
Livingston (injured)
Stokes
Bairstow

A very strong squad overall being sent by England
Yay!

 

[MenInG]

England have named their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, commencing 16 October, in Australia.

After a poor run for his national team and in The Hundred, Jason Roy misses out from the 15-man group, with England preferring Phil Salt, who made his T20I debut earlier this year. Since the last edition of the T20 World Cup in 2021 in the UAE, Roy has featured in 11 T20Is, scoring 206 runs at 18.72.

Salt's selection is a reward for strong domestic form, in the ongoing tournament The Hundred. He is among the top run-getters, currently at No.2 with 313 runs in eight games, averaging 44.71.

Jos Buttler leads the team in his first global tournament as captain, taking over from Eoin Morgan, who retired from international cricket earlier in the year.

Buttler is currently sidelined with a calf injury, meaning Moeen Ali will lead the side for England’s preparatory tour to Pakistan, where they will play Babar Azam’s side in seven T20Is.

England are confident Buttler will regain fitness in the latter stages of the series against Pakistan.

Dawid Malan also earns a recall after performing in England’s recent series against South Africa. The left-hander has a strike rate of 148.27 in T20Is this year, and is the like-for-like replacement for Morgan. He is also the current leading run-scorer of The Hundred with 358 runs at 59.66.

On the bowling side, Tymal Mills, who was the leading wicket-taker at last year’s competition up until his tournament-ending injury, has been left out of the main squad but was added as a travelling reserve along with Liam Dawson and Richard Gleeson.

The ECB have confirmed that seamers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes have recovered from their respective injuries and have been named in the 15-strong squad.

The team will aim to better their semi-final finish at last year’s T20 World Cup, and begin the 2022 campaign on 22 October against Afghanistan in Perth.

England have named a 19-member squad for the Pakistan tour ahead of the T20 World Cup, featuring five uncapped players: Jordan Cox, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Olly Stone and Luke Wood.

Their squads for the Australia series are the same as the one they've named for the T20 World Cup.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2775430

 

[Villager6964]

Very strong squad being sent here to Pakistan.
It will be an uphill task for Pakistan to beat England in this series.
Although i do believe Pakistan will win 4-3.

 

[Fenrir]

Very strong squad being sent here to Pakistan.
It will be an uphill task for Pakistan to beat England in this series.
Although i do believe Pakistan will win 4-3.

It will be a tough series for both teams.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Looks like England are not taking Pakistan seriously enough- No Stokes, Jordan, Bairstow or Livingstone.

All 1st XI players. Pakistan should destroy them 7-0 and teach them a lesson .

Jordan and Livingstone are injured.

 

[Hextro]

This series is almost like a mini world cup on its own! Pakistan needs to carefully rotate players during this series. Keep in mind that Shaheen will still be injured during this series so some young fast bowlers might get a chance.

 

[Ashmal]

The squad to Pakistan is so depressing

It’s like an MCC tour squad!

Only Stokes & Butler are missing...due to them being a part of SA tests and Jordan and Livingstone are not fully fit.

Other than that, it's a full-strength side.

 

[MenInG]

Bairstow ruled out of the third Test and ICC Men's T20 World Cup

England and Yorkshire batter Jonathan Bairstow has been ruled out of the rest of the summer and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after sustaining a lower limb injury in a freak accident whilst playing golf on Friday in Leeds. He will see a specialist next week to ascertain the full extent of the injury.

Nottinghamshire batter Ben Duckett has been added to the Test squad for the LV= Insurance third Test at the Kia Oval starting next Thursday.

A further announcement will be made in due course on who will replace Bairstow in England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Looks like a lot of injuries for English players. Stokes looks to be the only one being rested for this series while others are out with injuries.

This is going to be good prep for Pakistan and to be really test themselves. England will be rotating players throughout the series and I hope Pakistan does the same.

 

[Saj]

Huge loss - Bairstow.

Hearing that he slipped while playing golf and has broken his leg.

 

[pratiktc]

Roy dropped and selected on same day

 

[PakLFC]

Knowing England I feel they will still make some excuse to cancel the tour. No matter what team they announce it will surely be a good one

 

[MenInG]

Alex Hales is set to be named in England’s T20 World Cup squad as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow, who was ruled out of the tournament after fracturing his leg in a freak accident on a golf course last week.

Hales was exiled from the England team after being dropped on the eve of the 2019 World Cup, when it emerged that the Nottinghamshire opener had failed a recreational drugs test. He has not been selected since because of ongoing “trust issues” but, barring any last-minute interventions from the ECB or a change of heart by the selectors, he looks set to return to the national side for the first time since May 2019.

Final discussions will take place over the next couple of days, with Surrey’s Will Jacks the other name being debated for inclusion.

Since the retirement of Eoin Morgan, England’s limited-overs captain, in June and the appointment of Rob Key as the director of cricket, there has been a softening of the approach towards Hales, and any previous issues between him and the players seem to have been smoothed out.

Key revealed that Hales was the subject of lengthy discussions among the selection panel last week as a potential replacement opener after Jason Roy was dropped because of poor form. The panel eventually decided that Bairstow was the best option to partner Jos Buttler at the top of the order, but hours after England’s World Cup squad was announced it was revealed that Bairstow would be out of action for at least three months because of a serious injury to his left leg caused by slipping when walking on to a tee box at a golf course near Harrogate on Friday morning.

 

[shamaan]

Looks like England are not taking Pakistan seriously enough- No Stokes, Jordan, Bairstow or Livingstone.

All 1st XI players. Pakistan should destroy them 7-0 and teach them a lesson .

Baistrow is injured.

 

[shamaan]

My England xi vs pakistan

Buttler
Salt
Malan
Will Jacks
Harry Brooks
Will Cox
Moeen Ali
Topley
Wood
Rashid
Wood


My xi in world cup

Buttler
Salt
Malan
Brooks
Stokes
Livingstone
Ali
Curran
Willey
Wood
Rashid

 

[MenInG]

Nottinghamshire batter Alex Hales has been called up to England's ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad as a replacement for Yorkshire's Jonathan Bairstow after a left ankle injury sustained last week ended his chances of playing in the tournament.

Hales, 33, who last represented England in March 2019, has also been added to the IT20 squad for the tour of Pakistan.


England ICC Men's T20 World Cup Squad & Three-Match IT20 Series versus Australia

Jos Buttler (Lancashire) Captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Jordan (Surrey)
Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Phil Salt (Lancashire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Reece Topley (Surrey)
David Willey (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Travelling Reserves
Liam Dawson (Hampshire)
Richard Gleeson (Lancashire)
Tymal Mills (Sussex)

England Men's IT20 Squad Tour of Pakistan

Jos Buttler (Lancashire) Captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire) Vice-Captain
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Jordan Cox (Kent)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Liam Dawson (Hampshire)
Richard Gleeson (Lancashire)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Tom Helm (Middlesex)
Will Jacks (Surrey)
Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Phil Salt (Lancashire)
Olly Stone (Warwickshire)
Reece Topley (Surrey)
David Willey (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Luke Wood (Lancashire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 – England's Group Fixtures:
England v Afghanistan, Saturday 22 October 2022, Perth Stadium, Perth
England v Qualifier (B2), Wednesday 26 October 2022, MCG, Melbourne
England v Australia, Friday 28 October 2022, MCG, Melbourne
England v New Zealand, Tuesday 1 November 2022, The Gabba, Brisbane
England v Qualifier (A1), Saturday 5 November 2022, SCG, Sydney

Semi-finals
First semi-final, Wednesday 9 November 2022, SCG, Sydney
Second semi-final, Thursday 10 November 2022, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Final
Final, Sunday 13 November 2022, MCG, Melbourne

England Men's Pre-World Cup tour of Australia:
1st IT20: Australia v England, Sunday 9 October, Perth Stadium, Perth
2nd IT20: Australia v England, Wednesday 12 October, Manuka Oval, Canberra
3rd IT20: Australia v England Friday 14 October, Manuka Oval, Canberra

England Men's IT20 Tour of Pakistan:
1st IT20: Pakistan v England, 20 September, National Stadium, Karachi
2nd IT20: Pakistan v England, 22 September, National Stadium, Karachi
3rd IT20: Pakistan v England, 23 September, National Stadium, Karachi
4th IT20: Pakistan v England, 25 September, National Stadium, Karachi
5th IT20: Pakistan v England, 28 September, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
6th IT20: Pakistan v England, 30 September, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
7th IT20: Pakistan v England, 2 October, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Baistrow is injured.

In the OP, his name us in the squad for the World T20 and bilateral series for Australia but not for the Pakistan series. I think the squads were named just before his injury

 

[Major]

Alex haless is back!!!!! We are doomed

 

[MenInG]

Michael Hussey and David Saker join England Men's coaching set-up for T20 World Cup

England Men's white-ball Head Coach Matthew Mott has enlisted the support of former England bowling coach David Saker and Chennai Super Kings batting coach and former Australian international Michael Hussey for the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in October and November.

Saker, England Men's bowling coach from 2010 to 2015, will join the tourists in Pakistan for the seven-match tour preceding the World Cup.

Hussey, 47, who had a stellar career as a middle-order batsman for Australia in all three formats, will join the England set-up for the World Cup.

England IT20 Pakistan Tour and ICC Men's T20 World Cup Coaching Team

Head Coach – Matthew Mott
Assistant Coach – Richard Dawson
Assistant Coach – Carl Hopkinson
Coaching Consultant – Mike Hussey (World Cup only)
Coaching Consultant – David Saker

England ICC Men's T20 World Cup Squad & Three-Match IT20 Series versus Australia

Jos Buttler (Lancashire) Captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Jordan (Surrey)
Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Phil Salt (Lancashire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Reece Topley (Surrey)
David Willey (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Travelling Reserves
Liam Dawson (Hampshire)
Richard Gleeson (Lancashire)
Tymal Mills (Sussex)

England Men's IT20 Squad Tour of Pakistan

Jos Buttler (Lancashire) Captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire) Vice-Captain
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Jordan Cox (Kent)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Liam Dawson (Hampshire)
Richard Gleeson (Lancashire)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Tom Helm (Middlesex)
Will Jacks (Surrey)
Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Phil Salt (Lancashire)
Olly Stone (Warwickshire)
Reece Topley (Surrey)
David Willey (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Luke Wood (Lancashire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

 

[MenInG]

Harry Brook's brilliant performances against Pakistan mean he is "nailed on" to play England's opening game at the T20 World Cup, according to Nasser Hussain.

Brook struck his maiden T20I half-century as he made an unbeaten 81 from just 35 balls to lead England to a dominant win over Pakistan on Friday.

The 23-year-old Yorkshire batter also struck a crucial 42 not out to guide England to victory in the opening game of the series, while he made 31 in a losing effort in the second meeting of the seven-match contest.

England are fielding an inexperienced side in Pakistan, with the likes of Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone absent, and captain Jos Buttler yet to feature in the series as he recovers from a calf injury.

All three are expected to have returned to Matthew Mott's XI by the time England launch their T20 World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on October 22.

"In that first World Cup game, in Perth against Afghanistan, Brook must be pencilled in at No 5," former England captain Hussain said. "He's a serious talent.

"Harry Brook is just going to be superstar in all formats, he really is. His run-getting over the last couple of years at Yorkshire has been prolific and I think it will continue to be.

"His all-around-the-ground hitting is a key point. Some players will target the leg side, but if you bowl outside off to him, he'll go over extra cover as well, so there's no area that you're safe.

"He's 360 but in a different way. Like most players now he's got fast hands, he never really loses his shape, and he continues to be consistent."

Hussain added that England should resist the temptation to attempt to move Brook any higher in the batting order than the No 5 position from which he has been excelling.

"Batting at five is not an easy position to come in," he said. "You ask anyone in white-ball cricket where you like to bat then it's in the top two or three, as you're batting in the power play and you're already in when spin comes on and pace is coming off the ball.

"Every time he has been coming in at five, he has been prolific and consistent, because he has done it before at Yorkshire.

"Going into this series you were looking at how we get Brook into the starting XI, but I can't see how you can leave him out now. I really can't, he's that good of a player and he's very good in the field as well.

"I think, for me, he's absolutely nailed-on for that No 5 spot for the first game in that World Cup."

SKY

 

[Bilal7]

1) Hales
2) Buttler
3) Malan
4) Moeen
5) Brook
6) Stokes
7) Livingstone
8) Rashid
9) Jordan
10) Wood
11) Topley

This should be England's XI in that opening match and it looks a very strong team.

 

[Fenrir]

England has the strongest squad for T20 WC and should win the cup unless key players get injured or they have a bad day.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Mott: I couldn't have asked for more; Several players have advanced their cases

"We certainly came over here for the seven match series with a really clear plan to take it deep and see if we could rotate our squad through, leading obviously to a World Cup.

"I couldn't have asked for much more to be honest, I think Moeen Ali in particular has captained extremely well. He's put a lot of faith in different players, and had some debutants come in and do well.

"So from our perspective, to have pretty much a Final-type atmosphere tonight and come out and play so well gives us a lot of confidence going into that World Cup.

"There's been a lot [of players who have advanced their cases].

"Harry Brook has had some really good hit-outs and done well. He's looked really composed out there and seems to just pick the right times to go for his boundaries.

"Duckett has been exceptional and played spin really well. He's asked a few different questions. He sort of turned the momentum for us after the early games where spin was playing a big part of it.

"Malan today was outstanding. I thought that was a brilliant knock in a Final-like atmosphere.

"And all the bowlers. We came over here with some injury clouds but we got through it.

"Wood got through a few games, Woakes got through a couple, so we're building nicely with that depth we're after for that World Cup."

 

[IAJ]

Pakistan are struggling to find players for their T20 side while there is no place for Ben Duckett and Liam Dawson in England WC squad.

 

[James]

England in a top place. Really pleased with this tour from them. Lots of choice in selection and the mentality is improving.

 

[nextover666666]

England team is very strong and can be dangerous for any team to handle.

What is scary for other teams is even if main players from england squad get injured, they can replace them with 2nd or 3rd choice players and can trust them to get the job done.

Im sure even if they throw in some u19 players they will still be able to perform.

One must really apperciate the talent England cricket has.

 

[James]

It seems that England’s second XI would be able to give most teams around the world a game.

 

[fight_club]

Sam Curran lose out to Jordon, You already have Stokes as an all rounder, Gee that is some squad. I would also prefer salt over hales this lad is in red hot form

 

[MenInG]

Jos Buttler has all the tools for success at his disposal – especially a fiery batting line-up and an army of quality all-rounders. With expectations high, will England relish the pressure and bring home the trophy? Or will they crumble under the burden of expectation?

Squad:
Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Alex Hales.

All the squads for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022
Best finish at the tournament
Champions (2010)

A memorable day for England cricket and all their fans. The wait for World Cup glory was finally over for a powerhouse of cricket as Paul Collingwood and his men played a fierce brand of cricket to win the 2010 edition of the tournament in the Caribbean.

The victory in the final was made all the sweeter as it came against fierce rivals Australia.

Results in the last 10 T20I games

(Most recent first): W W W W L L W L W L

Fixtures

v Afghanistan (October 22), Perth Stadium, Perth
v Group B Runner-Up (October 26), MCG, Melbourne
v Australia (October 28), MCG, Melbourne
v New Zealand (November 1), The Gabba, Brisbane
v Group A Winner (November 5), SCG, Sydney

Key Match

v Australia (October 28) - A high-octane clash against their arch-rivals in front of a packed MCG would undoubtedly be the one that the England players would be looking forward to.

England will fancy their chances of winning their two opening encounters against Afghanistan and the First Round Group B runner-up, so a win against Australia could see them take a massive step toward booking a spot in the semi-finals.

The two sides have clashed recently in a series on Australian soil, with England getting the better of the hosts in the first two matches. This will undoubtedly fill them with confidence and Buttler's men will believe they have Australia's number.

England also registered a comfortable win against Australia in the 2021 edition of the tournament.

Key player

Jos Buttler - The England skipper remains one of the most feared batters in the T20 game, with many hailing him as the best in the format.

Despite the additional responsibilities that come with the captaincy, Buttler will view the tournament as a big opportunity to stamp his authority as the leader, as England move away from the Eoin Morgan era.

Buttler's best bet to do that would be to lead from the front with the bat in hand, setting the tone at the start of the innings as he so often does.

His partnership with Alex Hales at the top will be of vital importance, especially in Jonny Bairstow's absence, as England will aim to make full use of the Powerplay.

Buttler has an enviable record in the shortest format, with close to 2400 runs at a strike rate of over 143 and his form – both as a batter and a leader – will dictate how England's campaign pans out Down Under.


Summary

England have been rightly installed as one of the pre-tournament favourites heading into the World Cup. Their batting order is the envy of many teams, with power-hitters galore.

Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali are some of the most dangerous players in the world, when on song. Harry Brook has emerged as an excellent prospect and Dawid Malan plays the role of anchor to perfection. England also bat deeper than most.

The likes of Ali, Stokes and Livingstone can also chip in some handy overs with the ball, while their frontline bowlers like David Willey, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood are no mugs with the bat.

With the strength and depth at their disposal, a semi-final spot will be a minimum expectation for Buttler's men.

They will back themselves to get out of a group which also has defending champions Australia and last year's runners up New Zealand in it. Victories against them will be vital in terms of progressing, while also building momentum.

The team though would undoubtedly be hit by the absence of Jonny Bairstow, who would have added more firepower in the batting department. How Alex Hales performs as his replacement after a long lay-off from international cricket remains to be seen.

There are also worries in the bowling department, with a massive Jofra Archer-sized hole.

Mark Wood and Chris Woakes are excellent performers but will return after a long injury lay-off.

Death bowling has also been an issue in the past and Reece Topley and Chris Jordan will have to step up to ensure that the team are not leaking too many runs in the slog overs.

All in all, England have as strong a line-up as any team in the tournament and a run into the knock-out stages should be a minimum expectation. Whether they can replicate the success of the class of 2010 is another story and will largely determine the legacy of this firebrand unit.

ICC

 

[DHONI183]

England name squads for ICC Men's T20 World Cup and Tour of Pakistan

England look to be clear red, hot, favourites for the tournament. In terms of batting alone, they look streets ahead of other teams. Their team consists of almost 11 recognised and fully capable batsmen, and that would induce fears in the eyes of the others teams, clearly. However, being favourites has very rarely gone on to hold any value in any of the T20 World Cups. In this short, 40-over, version of the game, it´s so often about how you turn up on the day. Besides, bowling looks like bit of an issue for them. At least I can´t spot any genuine threat or a strike bowler amidst their ranks, and this could end up costing them in tight and close finishes where the skills and the nerves of the bowlers are tested to the extremes. This does look like a worry for them.

 

[MenInG]

Looking good England

==

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">England captain Jos Buttler says his side got everything they wanted out of their T20 World Cup warm-up match &#55357;&#56492; <a href="https://t.co/EUGqFkZs0B">pic.twitter.com/EUGqFkZs0B</a></p>— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/status/1582016082298122242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Kianig89]

Insane squad alot of depth variety all around can beat any team in any conditions squad has that invincibility like a deadly football team as Milan of early 90s

 

[MenInG]

The return of Ben Stokes to England’s T20I set-up has added both quality and a selection dilemma ahead of their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

The class of Stokes is in little doubt, and yet as a T20 player he remains something of an enigma.

England’s Test captain hadn’t played a T20 International for the best part of two years prior to the warm-up matches against Australia and Pakistan, and he has also barely featured in domestic and franchise tournaments in that time either.

It’s also worth noting that Stokes’ T20I record for England isn’t particularly special. And while part of that is due to his role, with Stokes often being used down the order away from his strengths in previous T20I appearances, it also replicates an underwhelming record in other T20 competitions.

How to utilise Stokes has been the biggest question, with his impact being greatest as an opener in previous hot streaks in the format – a position he is unlikely to be picked in at this tournament.

However, for captain Jos Buttler and the rest of the England management set-up, picking a player like Stokes in the XI is a given, and it wasn’t hard to see why as he smashed 36 from 18 balls in the final warm-up game against Pakistan, coming in at number three.

“Ben is a superstar and a guy you want in the team,” Buttler said earlier this month. “There is a lot of excitement to have him back.”

With Alex Hales and Buttler seemingly locked as openers and with Dawid Malan almost certain to start at number three, Stokes is carded to come in at four according to England coach Matthew Mott.

And Buttler believes batting him there, potentially even bringing him in ahead of Malan if the openers get off to a flier, is the best use of Stokes’ batting talents.

“He is someone we want to try to give as much opportunity to impact the game as possible, try to get him up the order as high as we can,” Buttler said. “We’re looking to give him as much responsibility as possible and allow him to play his way to get the best out of him.”

And yet, batting Stokes at four does present England with a selection dilemma.

Liam Livingstone’s return from injury saw the big-hitting batter slam 28 from 16 against Pakistan, but for him to get into the side, either a front-line bowler would have to be dropped or another of the top six – all of whom have very strong cases.

The batting-heavy approach

Picking Stokes at four and Livingstone potentially as low as seven would give England a hugely strong batting line-up. But it would leave Buttler needing to get at least four overs out of Stokes, Livingstone and Moeen Ali – something that is perhaps not ideal on pitches that aren’t guaranteed to be friendly to spin.

Having Sam Curran at eight as one of four front-line bowlers would be the likeliest option given the Surrey man’s form ahead of the tournament, but such a selection feels a bowler light given the lack of a gun finisher in England’s squad.

The bowling-heavy approach

Having Stokes in the side and Curran at seven would give England plenty of bowling options, and Curran can certainly hold his own in that role – as he highlighted with a 33-run salvo against Pakistan off just 14 deliveries on Monday.

But which batter misses out?

Livingstone has been carrying an injury but looked in good touch against Pakistan, while Harry Brook also impressed in that game after his successful tour against the same opponents just weeks ago. Leaving out either of those batters would seem harsh.

Moeen has been mentioned by some pundits as a player who could make way, but the all-rounder is an important leadership figure in the squad and de facto captain in the field when Buttler is behind the stumps, so England would be reticent to leave the left-hander out.

And even if he doesn’t bowl, Moeen has been one of the form batters in the England set-up this year, averaging 32.71 at a strike rate of 164.16 across 17 T20I innings in 2022.

The only other alternative could be to leave out Hales and open with Stokes or Malan, shifting the rest of the order up one. But the return of Hales to England’s T20 side was a big move from Buttler and Mott and they will be keen to see that move proven justified.


Drop a big-name batter to accommodate Stokes;

Or go with a bowler light;

It is a significant selection dilemma for England. But whatever starting XI they choose for the tournament opener against Afghanistan, the order will almost certainly be flexible.

“I think we all know that anyone can bat at a specific time,” Malan revealed after he was moved down to number seven against Australia earlier this month.

“I’m pretty sure if Livingstone was playing he might have come in at three (rather than Stokes), or if we’d have had 100/1 with a small boundary it might have been somebody else.

“We’re very flexible as a team. In the last World Cup I batted five in one of the games. I guess we go with what we need on a specific day, we’re very adaptive.”

England's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 Squad

Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Alex Hales.

ICC

 

[jnaveen1980]

England needs just one bowler to click. Their method generally falters on wickets that are slow and turning.

England plays on top venues. MCG (2) Perth (1) Gabba (1) SCG (1) Large-sized grounds. Impossible for many teams to match them on bigger grounds. Spin is one way of restricting them. Swing they are used to. A bit of vulnerability is there against bounce. But negligible. They have a plethora of batsmen. Difficult to plan against one or two individuals.

 

[Kianig89]

impossible to defeat them its only the mental aspect where they can be pinned out or someone from opposition plays a blinder basically Eng need two wins to lift the cup SF and Final

 

[daytrader]

England seamer Reece Topley has rolled his left ankle during a fielding drill in Brisbane on Monday afternoon before England’s warm-up fixture against Pakistan at the Gabba.

He will be assessed throughout this week ahead of England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup opening fixture against Afghanistan in Perth on Saturday.

 

[James]

I’m getting a bit confident now.

This is a good team.

 

[Saj]

Beaten finalists to Australia I reckon.

Solid team for Australian conditions.

 

[Bilal7]

I’m getting a bit confident now.

This is a good team.

Best team and squad on paper which is ridiculous given that they are missing their best bowler and one of their key batsman, lol.

 

[Bilal7]

Livingstone is a good player but he's not going to find form immediately and is unlikely to impact the game down at #7 anyways. It's far more useful to have Curran at #7 and Woakes at #8. Gives England batting depth and five frontline bowlers without even mentioning Stokes and Ali.

 

[MenInG]

England looking for second Men's T20 World Cup title

It was a case of what might have been for England 12 months ago in the UAE, and they will be desperate to avoid that feeling this time around at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The form team throughout the Super 12, losing only their final match to South Africa when a place in the semi-finals was effectively wrapped up, they then faltered against New Zealand.

Since then, it has been all change in England, Chris Silverwood stepped down from his role in charge of both the red-ball and white-ball teams, with Australian Matthew Mott having taken on the latter job.

After overseeing Australia Women’s spell of dominance on the global stage, this will be his chance to do the same for England’s men.

Can he mastermind a second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup success, 12 years after the first?

2022 Prospects

The conditions will be different and some of the personnel has changed but England still have every reason to feel like they can challenge for the title once again.

Drawn with Australia, New Zealand and Afghanistan in their group, they will need to knock off one of the finalists from a year ago to reach the semi-finals.

But there is strength throughout the side, and depth to the point that even Ben Stokes is not guaranteed a spot in the first-choice XI.

If they make it through to the last four, no team will look forward to facing them.

T20 World Cup History

England might have been the first team to play T20 cricket, but they took their time for it to click on the international stage.

They failed to make the semi-finals in each of the first two World Cups, but then it all came together in 2010 in the West Indies.

Despite not winning any of their matches in the opening round, they got through thanks to the weather and then took full advantage.

Kevin Pietersen was at the peak of his powers, while Craig Kieswetter saved his maiden T20 international half-century for the final to lead England past Australia.

Since then, England have come close in each of the last two editions, defeated in dramatic circumstances by Carlos Brathwaite’s stunning flurry of sixes off Stokes in the 2016 final, before the semi-final disappointment 12 months ago.

Current Form

The early returns after the World Cup were disappointing, defeat in the West Indies followed by two home series defeats to India and South Africa after Mott had started his new role.

At that point, it was fair to wonder whether England would be the same threat as a year ago, but since then they have won 4-3 in Pakistan and then 2-0 in Australia to enter the competition brimming with confidence.

They have shown that the team is more than capable of flourishing in Australian conditions, with some blistering batting at the top of the order and a varied bowling attack that can take wickets at regular intervals.

Best Batters

Is there a more destructive batter in the T20 game than Jos Buttler? The England skipper is a devastating striker of the ball at the top of the order and together with his opening partner Alex Hales, they could win a number of matches on their own.

Hales’ return to the side is one of the major changes from 2021, and if one of those two fails, Dawid Malan showed against Australia that he is still more than capable of taking a game away from an opponent. Add in the likes of Harry Brook, Stokes and even Moeen Ali and Sam Curran further down the order, and the England batting line-up is stacked.

Best Bowlers

England have a quartet of fast bowlers who could make an impact in Australia, with Chris Woakes the most recent man to shine with three quick wickets in the abandoned third T20 against Australia.

Sam Curran has been in such great form that he might have made it impossible for Mott to leave him out of the XI, while Adil Rashid’s spin has been a key part of England’s attack for years in this format, in conjunction with Moeen.

 

[TheSultan]

With Mark Wood back they have enough firepower to win which was missing last year.

I believe and hope they win too. They play in the right way and the right spirit

 

[asadee]

They will win all matches and then lose a knock out

 

[MenInG]

England have been forced to make a squad change with fast bowler Reece Topley ruled out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia after suffering an injury to his ankle during a fielding drill.

England are among the three sides to make squad changes for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 with injury hitting the different camps just ahead of the Super 12 stage.

England quick Topley rolled his ankle while stepping on a boundary cushion during a fielding drill ahead of the warm-up match against Pakistan. The injury turned out to be a big blow for England with Topley ruled out of the tournament in Australia.

Tymal Mills, who is a travelling reserve player in the squad, has been named as his replacement. Mills had played a key role in England's T20 World Cup campaign in 2021, but injury had cut down his time with the team then.

With useful experience in Australian conditions, England will hope that Mills steps in seamlessly to fill the void. However, Topley's absence will be a big blow for England. Incidentally, it was Topley who replaced Mills in 2021 when the left-arm quick was ruled out of the tournament in UAE.

The left-arm quick is England's leading wicket-taker in T20Is in 2022 with 17 wickets at an average of 28.0 and an economy rate of 7.80. Topley has been quite effective in the Powerplay and death overs for England.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

England pace bowler Reece Topley has been ruled out of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia due to ligament damage to his left ankle. Tymal Mills, one of the travelling reserves, will replace the Surrey seamer in the squad.

 

[MenInG]

England pace bowler Reece Topley has been ruled out of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia due to ligament damage to his left ankle. Tymal Mills, one of the travelling reserves, will replace the Surrey seamer in the squad.

Always read posts above before posting.

 

[MenInG]

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 has approved four player replacements.

In the Sri Lanka squad Kasun Rajitha has replaced Dushmantha Chameera who was ruled out due to a torn left calf muscle. Rajitha is currently in Sri Lanka and will be travelling to Australia as soon as possible. In addition, Danushka Gunathilaka who has a left hamstring tear will be replaced by travelling reserve Ashen Bandara.

In the United Arab Emirates squad, the travelling reserve Fahad Nawaz has replaced Zawar Farid who has fractured his left foot. Finally, England’s Tymal Mills who is already in Australia comes in for Reece Topley who has an injured left ankle.

The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad.

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 consists of Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager - Cricket (Chair); Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events; Peter Roach, Cricket Australia, Shane Doyle, Men’s T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee; Shaun Pollock (Independent) and Ian Bishop (Independent).

 

[Kriketer]

One team that is guaranteed a semi spot is England, the rest not so sure, not even Australia I think.

But if Australia makes it to semi then they will win the Cup regardless who plays them in semi or final.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

They are the most complete side and outright favourites to win this thing.

A South African side that has proper selections with fit and in form players would have been favourites this time and could be easily beaten any other side .

But the fact they continue to play that mediocre opener and have him as captain tells you all you need to know.

Australia are overrated this time.

 

[MenInG]

England are "chomping at the bit" ahead of their T20 World Cup opener on Saturday, says captain Jos Buttler.

England begin their bid for a second men's T20 title against Afghanistan at 12:00 BST in Perth.

Buttler's side arrive in form after series wins over Pakistan and Australia, although they have selection and injury issues to solve.

"We've had some really good games over the last 10 matches and played some really good cricket," said Buttler.

"We're in a good spot. Everyone is chomping at the bit to get going now.

"On the eve of the tournament we're very ready."

England's build-up has been hit by an ankle injury to Reece Topley, who was ruled out of the tournament on Wednesday.

Buttler said the rest of the squad is available, although there are doubts around the fitness of bowler Chris Woakes with a quad issue.

"He's feeling good," Buttler said. "He's obviously a key player for us and not somebody you'd take a big risk on."

An injury to Woakes would be of significant concern given fellow pace bowler Mark Wood will likely be managed through the tournament as he returns from elbow surgery.

Chris Jordan looks short of form as he makes his comeback following a hand injury, while Topley's replacement in the squad, Tymal Mills, has not played since August because of a toe problem.

Left-armer David Willey looks to be in line to take Topley's place in the starting XI, with England then needing to decide on the balance of their side.

They could take a 'batting-heavy' approach by picking Moeen Ali, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone, or opt for another bowler which would mean leaving out a batter, most likely Brook or Livingstone.

"We have got great options," Buttler, who took over as captain after the retirement of Eoin Morgan in June, told the BBC.

"Either way we have a lot of balance and batters who bowl - genuine all-rounders - which is fantastic to have in a T20 team.

"It doesn't have to stick to one balance in the tournament. We can change and see how we feel with each opposition and ground."

Saturday sees the main contenders enter the competition after a fascinating week of surprises in the first group stage, which culminated in West Indies being surprisingly being dumped out.

England and Afghanistan are in a group with New Zealand and Australia, who open the Super 12 stage on Saturday at 8:00 BST in Sydney, plus Sri Lanka and one of Ireland, Zimbabwe and Scotland.

A dangerous Afghanistan side includes superstar leg-spinner Rashid Khan, while they are coached by former England batter Jonathan Trott.

"Any team that has Rashid Khan in will be a really strong team," Buttler said. "T20 is one of those games when an individual can win it on their own on a day."

Trott replaced another former England batter, Graham Thorpe, as Afghanistan head coach in July. Thorpe was taken seriously ill in hospital in May.

Trott has previously worked as an England batting coach and was a team-mate of a number of the team during his playing career, but he was quick to play down the suggestion he could have inside information on the England players.

"Nowadays with the way that analysts, analysing games with regards to technology and that sort of stuff, I don't think there's much you can say that isn't available," Trott said.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Eoin Morgan predicts it to be far from straight forward assignment as England prepares to take on Afghanistan in Perth

Ahead of England's opening fixture of the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, ICC Digital Insider Bonnie Raynor caught up with former England skipper Eoin Morgan to capture his thoughts on the eve of their clash against Afghanistan.

Morgan, a veteran of six T20 World Cup campaigns, provided insight into where he believes the game will be won or lost in Perth.

"Against England, I think he [Rashid Khan] could be the winning or the losing of the game."

Going into further detail, Morgan explained that he feels that the game will hinge upon the battle between Buttler and Rashid, with the outcome of this contest likely to steer the result in this fixture.

"England's strongest player is their captain, Jos Buttler, and he has a terrible record against Rashid Khan. If he turns over Jos [Buttler] early in the game, I think it's going to cause a big headache for England."

To make matters worse for England fans, their former skipper reinforced his previous statements when providing answers to a few quickfire questions, confirming that he thought Afghanistan would beat England in Perth and that Buttler would be dismissed by Rashid.

England will hope their former teammate is simply playing devil's advocate, and they can kick off their T20 World Cup title challenge with victory. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will need no encouragement as they seek an early upset to show the rest of the tournament they mean business this time out.

ICC

 

[MenInG]

Playing like real champions vs AFG

 

[James]

Weak opposition but could not be starting better.

 

[ex-q-zit]

'England are one of the tournament favourites'
Sky Sports Cricket's Nasser Hussain: "It was a real shock to English white-ball cricket losing Eoin Morgan as captain and then not winning a series at home in the summer.

"There was a bit of umming and ahing but they won in Pakistan and in Australia and have started well in the World Cup. Buttler has played it down a lot, saying England will be there or thereabouts and are a difficult side to beat, but other sides will be seeing them as one of the favourites, without a doubt."

 

[Sherazkhalid]

I think they be the team to beat. Aus was other but they been beaten massively, so for me Eng is the team to beat.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

They have the best and most well rounded team on paper. But Buttler is still finding his feet as captain and Mott is still wobbly. Hales isn't playing his natural game and is trying to hold on to his place in the team.
The other guys seem to be a bit loose in the attack.

 

[MenInG]

Tough times ahead for England - need to bat better now.

 

[Rana]

David Tuk Malan is the culprit here

He played the most deliveries and he could have done enough to make sure England stay ahead

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Their bowling in PP and in the first 10 actually was very poor. Woakes was the biggest culprit. Pitch was tough to bat on so batting is not an issue.

 

[DHONI183]

Although Ireland played some great cricket today, but England got really unlucky with the rain there. The way Moeen was batting, and given the long batting line-up that they have got, I would´ve backed them to get the target. Fell short by just five runs on the DLS Method. Really unlucky, in my opinion. Dawid Malan must shoulder most of the blame for the defeat. Faced 37 balls and wasn´t even going at run-a-ball. That´s criminal in this format. A very poor innings.

Congratulations to Ireland! This result opens up the group of death even more now.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Why is Moin not bowling nowadays? I thought he gives them wickets and lately has good control too.

 

[jnaveen1980]

So much for the "Modern T20 batting" by England At least so far. Basically, extras have given them a cushion. They have the worst average strike rate among major countries.

 

[James]

Hopefully today was just a blip.

It was a really, really poor performance from England though.

I will give some credit to Ireland, but England just completely self destructed.

Big game against Australia isn’t it!

 

[jnaveen1980]

Hopefully today was just a blip.

It was a really, really poor performance from England though.

I will give some credit to Ireland, but England just completely self destructed.

Big game against Australia isn’t it!

very idea of loading up the side is to keep going. But i don't think some of the surfaces are suitable for such approach. A well set batsman after 10th over > Someone who is new to crease in these conditions. Not everyone can pull off that Stoinis type of innings.

 

[shamaan]

Although Ireland played some great cricket today, but England got really unlucky with the rain there. The way Moeen was batting, and given the long batting line-up that they have got, I would´ve backed them to get the target. Fell short by just five runs on the DLS Method. Really unlucky, in my opinion. Dawid Malan must shoulder most of the blame for the defeat. Faced 37 balls and wasn´t even going at run-a-ball. That´s criminal in this format. A very poor innings.

Congratulations to Ireland! This result opens up the group of death even more now.

I thought England got lucky with the drop catches and how Ireland didn't get 20 runs more bearing in mind how will they were at in the 12th over.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Hopefully today was just a blip.

It was a really, really poor performance from England though.

I will give some credit to Ireland, but England just completely self destructed.

Big game against Australia isn’t it!

England v Australia is basically a knockout match now

 

[Saj]

England with NZ, SL and Aus to play.

All likely to be must win matches.

Tough ask.

 

[James]

England are a much better team than what they showed today. Hopefully today was just a blip. Otherwise another poor result and their tournament could be finished.

 

[James]

England have stood on this precipice before.

In 2019, group-stage defeats by Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia left the pre-World Cup favourites staring over the edge before they manoeuvred their way to the 50-over title on a sunny Sunday at Lord's three weeks later.

This time they have just 48 hours to find their path because a mis-step against Australia on Friday will effectively mean their T20 World Cup dream is over after just seven days.

Things change quickly in sport.

After Saturday's convincing, albeit not perfect, win over Afghanistan, which followed commanding warm-up victories over Australia in their own back yard and a series win in Pakistan, England were rolling with the momentum of a boulder pushed down a hill.

They had become real contenders, after a summer which saw them lose Twenty20 series against India and South Africa.

But as Ireland's pocket of supporters sang in the Melbourne gloom on Wednesday, a five-run loss to the near neighbours confirmed by the shaking of hands as rain fell, England's side no longer looked so formidable.

First-choice seamers leaking runs. A scratchy top order struggling for fluency. Ben Stokes looking like a man who, funnily enough, has hardly played a T20 international in 18 months.

All issues borne out of England having had to select a squad of convenience, rather than one perfectly sculpted to take on the world.

Alex Hales, whose place is coming under threat after a third single-figure score in his last five innings in Australia, is opening because of Jason Roy's collapse in form and Jonny Bairstow's misfortune on the golf course.

Stokes would not be opening the bowling were it not for injuries to Jofra Archer and Reece Topley, but that role also means England cannot drop the all-rounder, despite his poor batting form in the pivotal number four slot.

Stokes' struggles would be easier to deal with if number three Dawid Malan, so dominant against Australia earlier this month, did not appear to now be using a bat without a middle.

The defeat by Ireland is when the issues were laid bare but the signs were there against Afghanistan too in slipping to 97-5 in their chase.

England have lifelines they can cling to.

While not perfect their line-up is packed with match winners, although the two batters seemingly in the best place, Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali, are currently having to solve crises rather than inflict them.

And the volatile nature of T20 cricket means a match-winning knock could easily be thrashed by one of those currently out of form.

Important, too, is the state of their rivals in Group 1.

Holders Australia were thrashed by New Zealand in the opening game of their own World Cup and were faltering against Sri Lanka until Marcus Stoinis suddenly combined tree-trunk arms with the eye of Don Bradman.

Previous winners have afforded a slip up - Australia were crushed by England a year ago in the United Arab Emirates and came back to win the title.

England won the T20 world title in 2010 despite losing to West Indies in the group stage, and could have gone out were it not for a wash-out against Ireland.

But most of all, Stokes, Buttler and many of the others in this England team have been here before.

Buttler called on his team to summon those memories of 2019 to turn it around.

"There are a lot of experienced cricketers in our dressing room who would have been set back at certain times in their career - whether it be the 2019 World Cup, a franchise tournament or before in international cricket," he said.

"So certainly guys who understand how to deal with the emotions of great disappointment like today, have to deal with it.

"There's no point trying to hide away from the feelings you have.

"You've got to deal with those very quickly, get over it and look forward to the Australia game."

A crowd upwards of 70,000 is expected on Friday. Last Saturday the Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed one of its greatest nights as India beat Pakistan in an ear-splitting atmosphere created by more than 90,000 fans.

This will be another occasion to remember.

If England lose and go on to exit before the semi-finals, it would mean this heralded white-ball side has only won one trophy from three attempts in four years.

That would feel like a waste.

Crucially, though, England are not done yet.

Defeat by Ireland leaves them staring over the edge, but all hope is not lost.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

England coach Matthew Mott will resist the urge to shake things up and make too many changes to his side for their cut-throat ICC Men's T20 World Cup clash against Australia in Melbourne on Friday.

Mott's team fell to a disappointing five-run (DLS method) loss to Ireland at the MCG on Wednesday and now face the reigning T20 World Cup champions in front of their home crowd in what looms as a crunch match for both sides and one that will be pivotal to the make-up of the semi-finals.

England and Australia both currently sit outside the top two spots on a log-jammed Group 1 standings and the loser on Friday will face a difficult task to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.

But Mott said it was business as usual for England and he will likely stick with the same XI that took on Ireland when they face Australia, unless one of his bowlers pulls up sore.

"We have played really solid cricket for the last month…we are not going throw the baby out with the bath water,” Mott said on Thursday.

"It's just business as usual as we would. We'll go through the sessions, see who's pulled up well and make changes.

“But it is very unlikely to change the structure of the team. It might be a change here or two depending on how the bowlers pulled up.”

The form of Ben Stokes has been one talking point for England thus far, with the experienced all-rounder and current Test captain having made just one score in double figures from five innings since he arrived in Australia earlier this month.

But Mott is expecting Stokes to turn it around quickly and is forecasting the left-hander to find his best form against Australia.

"He's an incredible player for our team,” Mott said of Stokes.

“He's a real leader in our group as well, apart from the official leaders. I thought his bowling has been a real bonus for us. I think a lot of people probably underestimate his bowling coming into this tournament.

"And he's been key for us. I think he's bowled some big overs particularly in the Powerplay. With the bat, he hasn't come off yet. But his career would suggest that at some point someone's going to pay a price and hopefully that's Australia in a day's time."

Mott after guiding Australia's women's team to success at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup earlier this yearMott after guiding Australia's women's team to success at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup earlier this year
While Mott was born in Australia and enjoyed much recent success as coach of Australia's women's team, the 49-year-old knows exactly where his allegiances lie come Friday at the MCG.

"I've got a lot of friends in that (Australia) group, both in the playing group and the staff group. But as you find in cricket, you love the one you're with. And I love being part of this (England) group,” he said.

"It's very special to me. I think in the short time I've been there I've got a lot of really strong allies within our playing group and our support group and we are incredibly motivated.

"And yesterday only adds to the motivation. I think it's put us in a spot that we didn't really want to be in. But it's a good spot to be in. If the weather holds, I think it's going to be a great game of cricket -- two very good teams going head-to-head with a lot on the line.

"So, it's what you play for. It's World Cup. And it's tournament play, which is cut-throat. Not always the best team wins. But hopefully we put ourselves in a position to get over the top of Australia.”

ICC