Jos Buttler has suggested that Harry Brook could still force his way into England’s World Cup squad before the 15-man group flies out to India following his century in the Hundred this week.
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Speaking ahead of the Eliminator tomorrow in which Buttler will captain Manchester Originals, Buttler said: “We all know he’s [Brook] a fantastic player and we saw what he can do the other night. It’s not like it’s a surprise. We know what a brilliant player he is: he’s just the unfortunate one at the moment to not be in that squad.
“There’s still a long time before everyone is meant to get on the plane, so we’ll wait and see what happens.”
England left Brook out of the squad after Ben Stokes announced he would unretire from ODI cricket for the World Cup. After the squad was named, Brook made a stunning 41-ball century in the Hundred, intensifying the debate over whether he should be in England’s playing group.
“Of course, Ben Stokes coming back and being available just as a batter sort of changes the dynamic a little bit,” said Buttler. “Ben’s a fantastic player to be able to welcome back, so it’s a really tough selection. There have been players performing really well over a period of time. And that’s where we’re at the minute.
“[There are] excellent players not in that provisional squad at the moment. It’s been the nature of England squads in the white-ball teams over the last few years really, which is a great sign for us. They’re good problems to have.”
England’s ODI series against New Zealand starts next week, after the Hundred has concluded. Four T20Is will also follow that series, for which England selected Josh Tongue, who is uncapped in the format, as well as teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who will face Buttler as part of Southern Brave’s side in tomorrow’s Eliminator. An injured Tongue was subsequently replaced by Chris Jordan.
“The T20 squad has been picked with a view to having a look at a few other guys,” said Buttler. “That’s been communicated as well. So we want to try and broaden that talent pool and expose some people to international cricket to see where they’re at. I think death ball is obviously a big focus in short form cricket and we want to see where certain people are at and give them a chance.
“The Hundred is a great example for someone like Rehan Ahmed, who’s 19, to be in these situations at that age. To be exposed to big nights like this. He doesn’t lack confidence, he’s certainly someone who’s seems to warm to these occasions and want the ball all the time which is great to see in such a young guy.
“I think it’s just brilliant that someone like that is being exposed to these kinds of situations at home in our country now. That’s where we want to play cricket the most, is home and being in a huge match in your own domestic competition is fantastic. I know Rehan’s already travelled the world a bit in T20 and franchise cricket, which is fantastic for him. I think everyone in England cricket, whatever colour the ball is, is excited for his potential in the future.”
Buttler is currently the leading run-scorer in the men’s Hundred, with 298 runs and two fifties across eight innings. He spoke on Speaking on his own form ahead of three important months: “I’ve been feeling pretty good and enjoying my batting. It’s certainly swung about a little bit more than sometimes it does so I’ve been just trying to adapt.
“I’m a pretty experienced player now. You always want to get off to a fast start and take advantage of the powerplay, but some days it might be that that’s the hardest time to bat.
“Even in such a short game, there’s still time to do that. In a Test match, it might be [you have to] soak it up for an hour or something, but in a T20 or the Hundred, it might be just three or four balls that you need – and that’s okay. Something I’ve learned over time is you can still have those little phases of getting in.”
