England’s master batter Joe Root has been recalled to feature in the white-ball tour of the Indian subcontinent as well as the ICC Champions Trophy, which will succeed the series in Pakistan.
The new white-ball coach, Brendon McCullum, is looking for a very new team that is different from the team that produced a humiliating exit from the Cricket World Cup, which was held in India in 2023.
Joe Root has had a commendable test year, as the batter is about to end the year as the No. 1 ranked Test batter with the most runs in the longest format of the game. However, ever since his dismaying show at the CWC 2023, he has not played limited-overs cricket for the Three Lions.
However, former England great all-rounder in the 50-over format, Ben Stokes, has not made his place in the England limited-overs team for the Champions Trophy. The team includes the likes of several players who starred in test cricket for India throughout the year, while also having the likes of speedsters who can produce an acute pace.
England will have the likes of Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and lastly Saqib Mahmood, as all these bowlers can be relied on to have produced pace over 90 mph.
Jamie Overton is also undoubtedly one of those all-rounders who has been quite notable with the bat, while currently, he is dominating in Australia with both bat and ball in the Big Bash League. He replaces one of England’s most consistent performers, Sam Curran, from the white-ball team.
Ben Duckett, alongside Phil Salt, is probably the only possible player in the opening role for England, as Will Jacks has been overlooked for the squad in the Champions Trophy. While the middle order looks much strengthened with skipper Buttler, Joe Root, and also all-rounders like Jacob Bethell and Liam Livingstone.
While Jamie Smith, who recently missed the series against New Zealand, has also been picked for the Champions Trophy. Adil Rashid remains the only recognized spinner in the squad.
England Squad for ICC Champions Trophy
Jos Buttler (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, and Mark Wood.
