Left Arm Around

Jofra Archer has been selected in England’s provisional 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in West Indies & USA.

The 29-year-old has not featured in international cricket since March 2023- a recurring elbow injury keeping him out of action.

Archer has been plagued by injury woes since his much-anticipated international debut in 2019, so news of his return will bring great joy to England supporters.

He is also included in the squad for a four-match T20i series against Pakistan, starting at Headingley on May 22.

However, former West Indies quick Curtly Ambrose has warned it could be a ‘disaster’ for Archer to make an early return from injury for the showpiece tournament.

In other news, Chris Jordan earns a recall after missing the tour of West Indies in December last year.

Chris Woakes controversially misses out despite being a World Cup winner in both white-ball formats.

Batter Dawid Malan also misses out on a place, even after being awarded a central contract in October.

Lancashire off-spinner Tom Hartley, who recently impressed on the Test tour of India, is the only uncapped player in the squad.

He will provide useful back-up to the spin options of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone.

Jos Buttler’s side have endured a run of poor form in white-ball cricket, failing to reach the semi-finals at the ODI World Cup and losing a T20i series in WI, but they will be buoyed by the brilliant touch of their batters in this season’s IPL.

Buttler has scored two centuries, Jonny Bairstow reeled off a stunning ton to chase 261, Will Jacks smashed a 41-ball hundred and Phil Salt is the leading overseas run-scorer.

England begin the defence of the title they won in Australia against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.

They will then face Australia in Barbados four days later, Oman on June 13 in Antigua and Namibia on June 15 at the same venue.