Moeen Ali has said Harry Brook was “unlucky to miss out” on England’s provisional 2023 World Cup squad, and suggested that Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott, England’s captain and head coach, will consider recalling him ahead of the tournament.

Brook’s exclusion was the biggest headline from England’s mid-August World Cup squad announcement. The 24-year-old is rated as one of the foremost young batting talents in the world but has played just three ODIs, with Test commitments limiting his opportunities.

Since then, Brook has played a number of notable white-ball innings, making a century for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred and playing two blistering knocks in England’s T20I series against New Zealand. England’s squad is only provisional, and they have the chance to change it until late September. Buttler has suggested the door is not closed on Brook, and Moeen, also in the World Cup squad, has said Brook “could come back in”.

“Harry Brook is going to be a great player, he’s playing great at the minute,” Moeen said. “He’s been unlucky to miss out but the way he’s playing he could come back in. He’s playing so well. It’s a great headache to have as a side, and I’m sure the captain and the coaches are thinking the same thing.”

Among those under pressure from Brook is Dawid Malan. Malan has made a century in each of England’s last four overseas ODI series, and is seen as an option at the top of the order in case of loss of form or injury. However, he is struggling for rhythm himself, dropped during the Hundred by Trent Rockets and making a four-ball duck and an 11-ball two in his last two innings, following a half-century in the first T20I. Moeen backed him to come good in time.

“One thing with Malan is he’s never let the team down,” Moeen said. “He’s always scored runs. He’s a top player, you’re guaranteed runs from him. These two innings, he’s obviously human and people do miss out but he will score a lot of runs for England to come.”

England lead New Zealand ahead of the final T20I, to be played today (September 5) at Trent Bridge.

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