England is poised to include Chris Jordan in their provisional T20 World Cup squad, set to be unveiled on Tuesday.
Jordan, who last represented England in the T20 format during the summer of 2023 against New Zealand, is making a comeback. His inclusion comes as a replacement for Jamie Overton, who is sidelined due to injury. Jordan’s dual capability as a bowler and a lower-order batsman adds depth to the squad.
The return of Jordan is anticipated to impact Chris Woakes, particularly given Woakes’ absence from the IPL matches this season with Punjab Kings. Additionally, Ben Duckett secures a spot as the reserve batter, bringing a left-handed option to the team. Tom Hartley, despite being uncapped, is expected to earn a place as the secondary frontline spinner alongside Adil Rashid, potentially edging out Rehan Ahmed.
Jordan’s selection is buoyed by his extensive experience, having participated in five previous World Cups and serving as Surrey’s T20 captain for two seasons. Despite his likely limited appearances in the upcoming tournament, his prowess as a fielder and a reliable death bowler remain invaluable assets.
England closely monitored Jamie Overton’s progress but his ongoing back injury led to his exclusion from the provisional squad. Jordan’s recent batting improvements, evidenced by his performances since the start of the 2023 Vitality Blast, have further bolstered his case for selection.
Despite not being part of the squad during England’s recent T20I series loss to West Indies, Jordan kept busy during the winter playing in various T20 leagues. He will prepare for the World Cup with England’s T20I series against Pakistan starting on May 22.
England’s top four is expected to feature Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Will Jacks, and Jonny Bairstow, all in good form based on their IPL performances. Jofra Archer, despite battling a persistent elbow injury, is likely to be included in the provisional squad. The absence of Ben Stokes, who is continuing his recovery from knee surgery, will be felt.
The potential England T20 World Cup squad includes a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, reflecting England’s ambitions for the upcoming tournament.
