After the end of England’s white-ball summer, we assess what their squad for this year’s T20 World Cup could look like.

The tournament, to be held in Australia, starts in October. England, who reached the semi-finals of last year’s tournament, have had a difficult time in the format of late, losing their three series since that 2021 competition.

We take a look at the players set to travel to the tournament, those who will most likely go even after some patchy periods of form, and those who face more of a fight to get in.

READ – CricViz: How are England shaping up ahead of the T20 World Cup?

On the plane

Jos Buttler

Leads the side.

Jonny Bairstow

Has spent most of the last two years in England’s middle order, where he smashed 90 off 53 from No.4 against South Africa from last week. Can be used flexibly, having also thrived as an opener in the IPL and in ODI cricket.

Moeen Ali

Holds an impressive record with both bat and ball since the start of last year’s World Cup: 354 runs at 27.23, striking at 156.63, with 18 wickets at an average of 16.55.

Ben Stokes

Despite not having played a T20I since March 2021, Stokes appears set to return to the set-up ahead of the World Cup. Speaking to the press after England’s T20I series defeat to South Africa, white-ball head coach Matthew Mott said: “Having a world-class bowler that bats in the top four is a huge asset to any team.”

Adil Rashid

England’s lead spinner.

Chris Jordan

England’s leading wicket-taker in men’s T20Is and, while expensive against South Africa, tasted success earlier in the summer against India, taking eight wickets in three matches.

Liam Livingstone

Has had a difficult year, passing 20 just once in nine T20I innings. But his obvious power down the order makes him stand out from the crowd, as does his ability to turn the ball both ways.

In the departure lounge

Dawid Malan

Delivered a match-winning 39-ball 77 against India but Stokes’ presence could threaten his place in the top order. An impressive body of work in the format means he is still more likely to travel than not.

Jason Roy

Has been a regular for seven years but endured a nightmare summer, averaging 12.66 while striking at less than a run a ball. But, like Malan, it would be a surprise if he missed out on a place in England’s squad.

Reece Topley

Had a breakthrough summer in both ODIs and T20Is. His 3-22 from four overs was the standout performance against India at Trent Bridge in a match that involved more than 400 runs. Only if everyone is fit would there be a question over his place.

Waiting by the phone

Phil Salt

Given just the one T20I this summer but looks to be one of the next cabs off the rank. Has shown flexibility in his short international career so far – he hit a half-century at No.6 on his T20I debut and averages more than 50 as a top-three ODI batter.

Harry Brook

Still waiting for his breakthrough knock for England but will look to make his case in The Hundred, where he starred for Northern Superchargers last year.

Richard Gleeson

Clocked impressive speeds on a dream debut against India, taking the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. Expensive against South Africa but could benefit from a dearth of other fit high-pace options.

David Willey

Holds a strong career record, with 43 T20I wickets at an average of 22.18, and strengthens England’s tail with the bat. But still doesn’t hold first-choice status.

Sam Curran

A difficult summer for the left-armer. Curran went wicketless in five T20Is and had a high score of 9. However, he is clearly highly rated and can balance a squad well.

On the treatment table

Tymal Mills

A toe injury ruled Mills out of the South Africa T20Is. He struggled in the Caribbean earlier this year but took seven wickets at last year’s World Cup at an average of 15.42.

Mark Wood

An elbow problem has hampered Wood this summer, though he could still return in time for the World Cup, where his wicket-taking threat on pacy Australian wickets could make him vital.

Chris Woakes

Woakes took seven wickets at 21.57 in last year’s World Cup but his summer has struggled with injury all summer.

Jofra Archer

Mott has said that “it’s going to be a stretch” for Archer to play at the World Cup. At full fitness he would be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Still pushing…

On the batting front, the likes of James Vince, Tom Banton and Sam Billings have all played for England this year in T20Is. Will Smeed and Ben Duckett have impressed in domestic cricket this year, and put on eye-catching displays for England Lions against South Africa.

On the spin-bowling front, Matt Parkinson and Liam Dawson have been tested as options this year, while England Lions selected left-arm wrist-spinner Jake Lintott last month after his impressive performances in the Blast for Warwickshire. ‘Fast spinner’ Benny Howell also featured in that Lions series.

And is there still time for a Joe Root comeback?