Defending champions England have named their squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The batting line-up features some explosive hitters in captain Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Harry Brook.

Brook had pulled out of the India tour and the 2024 IPL following his grandmother’s death. He has since returned to play for Yorkshire in the ongoing County Championship. Salt and Buttler are both having excellent outings at the IPL. Other batters include Jonny Bairstow, who recently slammed an exceptional hundred at the IPL, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, and Liam Livingstone.

Jofra Archer makes a comeback

Jofra Archer will make his long-awaited comeback to the international side for the first time since March 2023. Along with Archer, the pace department will also feature Mark Wood and Reece Topley as well as all-rounder Sam Curran. Other all-rounders in the squad include Moeen Ali, while Livingstone and Jacks can both chip in with a few overs.

Adil Rashid is the main spinner of the side. He will be supported by Moeen. Lancashire left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who impressed on his Test debut in India earlier this year but is yet to play T20Is, is somewhat of a surprise inclusion.

England squad for the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.

Ahead of the World Cup, England will play four T20Is against Pakistan, at Headingley on May 22, at Edgbaston on May 25, at Cardiff on May 28, and at The Oval on May 30.

At the World Cup, England will play Scotland on June 4, Australia on June 8, Oman on June 13, and Namibia on June 15 in the first round. The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados will host the first two matches and Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda will host the other two.

IPL players to fly back early

“Selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on Wednesday 22 May 2024” added the ECB in their release.