England start the 2024 T20 World Cup as defending champions, but with several significant differences to their side than the one that lifted the trophy in Australia 18 months ago.
The series played against Pakistan just before the start of the World Cup marked the first time since the 2022 final in Melbourne that England have had all their first-choice options available to them. As a result, it's hard to pinpoint exactly where they are ahead of their title defence. However, if they are to retain their only remaining white-ball trophy, there are several identifiable non-negotiables which will have to go right in their campaign.
Fast-bowler fitness
England's fast-bowling attack was bolstered in the weeks before the tournament by the return to fitness of both Mark Wood and Jofra Archer. Wood picked up an injury in the latter part of the Test tour of India earlier this year, while Archer hadn't played an international game for over a year before the series. Having both their premier quicks available wasn't a luxury England had in 2022, and using them to extract every last ounce of pace from slow pitches will be essential. Add into that mix Reece Topley, who has taken more wickets for England in T20Is than anyone since the last tournament, and has a history of picking up injuries during World Cups.
Strong Yorkshire middle-order, strong England
Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow make-up the engine room of England's batting order. While Bairstow is usually used as at the top, the plethora of openers in England squad means he's slotting in at four. This makes England's batting lineup packed with power, but in a less familiar role, Bairstow will have to adapt on the surfaces presented for England to deliver on that power. Equally, Brook opted out of the 2024 IPL for personal reasons, as well as England's tour of India. He will also have to readjust quickly.
No Stokes to the rescue
Stokes has long been England's crisis-management solution. While Sam Curran played a vital role in England's win in the final in 2022, it was Stokes once again who calmly got England over the line. As already mentioned, England's power is among the best in the tournament, but what they must find is a calm head to replace the edge Stokes gave them at crunch points.
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Adil Rashid's final time to shine
While Rashid has long been England's best bowler, he really showed his worth in 2022. His miserly economy rate during the middle overs posed a constant threat made him irreplaceable. In the semi-final against India in 2022, he played a starring role, taking 1-20 off just four overs on a good pitch. England's white-ball captains have learnt to rely on Rashid's ever-dependable role, and aside from Jos Buttler, he's the first name on the team sheet. With spin set to play a crucial role in this tournament, being able to depend on Rashid without a second thought will be even more important than ever.
All-rounders must find balance
Having packed their batting with power, England have also managed to fill their side with all-rounders. The balance they prefer leaves out Sam Curran, who was omitted from their XI for their first game of the tournament, but it still allows them to pick two specialist pacers and Rashid, alongside Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan propping up the lower middle-order. Between them, the all-rounders will have to bowl eight overs in some combination, with Jordan usually operating at the death. However, Moeen and Livingstone have been increasingly erratic with the bat over the last 12 months, while Jordan has barely played a role for England in that time. As much as they're needed with the ball, they must be able to provide the balance England seek.
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