Archer Named in England T20 World Cup Squad

Jofra Archer has been named in England’s squad for the T20 World Cup despite missing the last two Ashes Tests.
The pace bowler is continuing to recover from a side strain and has been included in a provisional 15-man party for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
Jamie Smith misses out on the World Cup and the preceding tour of Sri Lanka after a difficult Ashes series, and there is no place for Jordan Cox.
Pace bowler Josh Tongue, who has never played a white-ball international for England, is rewarded for his Ashes performances with inclusion in the World Cup squad.
After England were beaten in the first three Tests against Australia to lose the Ashes series at the earliest opportunity, the World Cup would potentially give another indication to the futures of head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key.
England play three one-day internationals and three T20s in Sri Lanka in the build-up to the World Cup, which they begin against Nepal in Mumbai on 8 February.
The ODIs are important in England’s bid to qualify automatically for the 50-over World Cup in 2027. The top nine in the rankings will secure a place in the tournament in southern Africa and England currently lie eighth.
Despite the tight turnaround from the Ashes, captain Harry Brook leads a full-strength squad. England leave Australia after the fifth Test on 9 January and fly to Sri Lanka to 18 January. The first ODI is on 22 January.