Looking at the current crop of England quicks competing for a place in their T20I line-up, we’ve broken things down and had a look at who sits where in the pecking order.
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Automatic Selection
Jofra Archer
Injured, but still in a league of his own. Regardless of where, who or when England are playing, a fit Archer is the standout quick who is guaranteed a spot in this England side. Somewhat surprisingly, Archer has only played 12 T20Is for England, the same number as Saqib Mahmood. Nevertheless, Archer’s economy of less than eight runs an over, excellence in the Powerplay and world-beating performances in the IPL mean he is the first quick on the team sheet. England will desperately be hoping for him to regain full fitness in time for this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
Frontrunners
Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
After Archer, who are the leading contenders for a spot in the side? No quick has taken as many wickets for England in T20Is than Chris Jordan but, following on from an expensive outing against New Zealand in the World Cup, he endured a difficult series against the West Indies, averaging 136 with the ball. Jordan is clearly a leader within the group, but as England’s premier death bowler, the spotlight on his role in the side is intensifying.
Tymal Mills was also expensive against the West Indies after showing plenty of promise at the World Cup, and his skills at the death were missed by England during their semi-final defeat. Mark Wood remains key too as a middle-overs enforcer, while Chris Woakes excelled at the World Cup with the new ball.
In the mix
Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Saqib Mahmood, Reece Topley
Both of the Curran brothers are currently injured and their eventual return will tell us more about who stands where. Before injury hit in the lead up to the World Cup, Sam Curran could have been the man to fulfil the role of England’s all-rounder at seven, however a lot has changed in the time. Moeen Ali has been resurgent and established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, while the development of Liam Livingstone’s spin has further lessened the need for Curran’s all-round ability to balance the side out.
Tom Curran’s injury has come at a poor time; the West Indies series would’ve been a chance for him to press a case for a return to the starting XI, however a stress fracture in his lower back means he’ll miss the start of the county season. The biggest winner in this bracket is Reece Topley, whose successful return to the England set-up means he could be entering that frontrunner category quite soon. He certainly appears to have leapfrogged Mahmood, who endured a chastening time in the Caribbean and after 12 T20Is has seven wickets at an average of 56.85 and economy rate above 10.
Outsiders
George Garton, David Payne, David Willey
Garton endured a difficult debut against the West Indies, conceding 57 runs from his four overs. One bad day is unlikely to throw him out of contention, however, and his stock has risen in the last year through performances in The Hundred and a deal at the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Payne was in the squad for the West Indies but is still waiting for a debut. Willey, on the other hand, was a non-playing member of the World Cup squad and has plenty of experience at his disposal but has drifted in and out of England’s thinking in recent years. Nonetheless, he remains a reliable performer – his 38 T20I wickets have come at 22.47 – who they could still turn to down the line.
