London, April 30: Jofra Archer is a devastating fast bowler. He reminds of the fearsome lethal West Indian speedsters of the 1980s.
The English pacer Archer has been very impactful in both red and white-ball games. But despite his immense talents, his career has been seriously affected by injuries.
But Archer has been selected in the Jos Buttler-led 15-member preliminary squad that will represent defending champion England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and United States of America starting in June.
Archer will be marking his return to international cricket for the first time in a year after recovering from his right elbow injury. Since 2021, he has faced several injury setbacks, ranging from stress fractures and recurring elbow issues to undergoing surgery following a mishap involving a fish tank.
The 29-year-old pacer's last appearance at the international level came over a year ago on England’s tour of Bangladesh in March 2023.
Left-arm spinning all-rounder Tom Hartley is the sole uncapped player and, along with batter Will Jacks, the only player not to feature at an ICC World tournament previously.
All teams are allowed to make changes to their squads until May 25, after which any alteration will require approval from the ICC's Event Technical Committee.
Moreover, this squad will also take on Pakistan in the preceding four-match T20I series next month in Leeds.
England Cricket said that selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on May 22.
The World Cup squad will fly to the Caribbean on May 31 ahead of England’s opening group match against Scotland at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, on June 4.
England Provisional ICC Men's T20 World Cup and T20 Squad vs. Pakistan Squad:
England Squad:
Jos Buttler (Captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, and Mark Wood.
Will this team be able to retain the ICC T20 Men's title is bit early to presume. However, skipper Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Phil Salt seem to be in good touch in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. (With IANS support)
