We are only six months away from next year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA, with minimal T20I cricket to be played between now and the tournament itself.

After their upcoming five-match series in the Caribbean, the only T20Is on England’s calendar between now and the T20 World Cup are the four T20Is they have scheduled against Pakistan at home in late May where it is likely that the latter stages of the IPL will interfere with availability. There is very little time England will have together as a group before the tournament.

So, how are England likely to line up?

England have only played seven T20Is since lifting the T20 World Cup at the MCG last year, so it is unlikely that their squad for next year’s tournament will look that different to the one that brought them silverware in 2022.

That said, the four T20Is they played against New Zealand in September left a few clues as to how they may change tack for their title defence. Since the T20 World Cup, Alex Hales has retired from international cricket, leaving at least one vacancy up top; and if that New Zealand series is anything to go by, England are also at least contemplating the possibility of dropping Jos Buttler down the order.

Buttler’s record as an opener in T20I cricket is practically unrivalled but so diverse are his strengths as a T20 batter, he is just as destructive in the middle order as he is up top. England are also spoilt for choice when it comes to potential openers in a way they are not in the middle order. Jonny Bairstow has had some success at No. 4 in the past, but his optimal position has always been as an opener. Against New Zealand, Bairstow opened the batting with Will Jacks, whose part-time off-spin is also likely to come in handy in the Caribbean. They are the incumbents.

Ben Stokes’ T20I future is not crystal clear – he didn’t play in the New Zealand series – but he is yet to give any indication that a step back from the format is imminent. If he is available, he will be part of the squad.

Perhaps the most striking selection call for the ongoing tour of West Indies was the omission of Dawid Malan. Since the 2019 50-over World Cup, only Adil Rashid has played more T20Is for England than Malan. He was also an ever-present in that New Zealand series but despite his recent ODI success, struggled – he struck at 105 over the four games.

Malan was also dropped by Trent Rockets during The Hundred after failing to reach 15 in any of his four outings. Given the proximity of the T20 World Cup, should Stokes be available, Malan is unlikely to be involved in June.

Harry Brook is a near certainty to feature and if the Buttler/Bairstow switch happens, he may well bat higher up the order than he did in the 2022 tournament. Phil Salt is likely to retain his spot as the spare batter, someone capable of filling a variety of roles depending on who is unavailable. Ben Duckett has been selected for the ongoing West Indies tour so he is another possibility, especially if Stokes isn’t involved.

In the all-round department, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran pick themselves. Adil Rashid is another guaranteed pick.

As ever, the make-up of the squad’s seam attack will be fitness dependent. Jofra Archer will be selected if 100 percent fit, but that is a big ‘if’. Tymal Mills has seemingly usurped Chris Jordan as England’s go-to death specialist alongside Curran, while Mark Wood’s express pace will be a useful weapon. Reece Topley’s last two World Cups have been curtailed by injury; he is another that if fit will likely go.

If Archer doesn’t make it, expect Gus Atkinson to be involved. The 15th spot is likely to be dependent on how England look to balance their squad. Recently, they have veered away from picking a reserve spinner in the 15-man group, but Rehan Ahmed has an opportunity to press forward a strong claim for selection in the five T20Is in the Caribbean this month. If England look to pick another seamer instead, Chris Woakes – a T20 World Cup winner last year – is another contender.

Predicted England T20 World Cup squad:

Jonny Bairstow
Will Jacks
Ben Stokes (Ben Duckett)
Harry Brook
Jos Buttler
Liam Livingstone
Moeen Ali
Sam Curran
Jofra Archer (Gus Atkinson)
Adil Rashid
Tymal Mills
Phil Salt
Reece Topley
Mark Wood
Rehan Ahmed