England are looking to become the first men’s double white-ball world champions as they seek to add T20 World Cup glory to their 50-over triumph of two years ago.
Their limited-overs focus since their reinvention in 2015 has largely been ODIs, but a shift has taken place in the last year and so deep is their talent pool that they have to be among the favourites.
Nevertheless, they are missing one absolutely vital player, Jofra Archer, who is among the best T20 quicks in the world, and a couple of others who would have made their first team as all-rounders, in Ben Stokes and Sam Curran.
The other burning issue is whether they have another spin bowling on tired UAE pitches. Adil Rashid is a banker, but Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone – with the seam-bowling all-rounders injured – will likely need to share four overs, which does not allow much wriggle room.
The batting is packed with power – especially since Livingstone’s emergence – and the injuries actually take away some awkward questions about who to pick.
Key man - Jos Buttler
Buttler has had a curiously quiet year, and did not quite sparkle at the ODI World Cup like some hoped. Everyone wants to open for England, and he has the record and the talent to dominate the innings. Is keeper and captain-elect, too.
England squad in full
Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
England fixtures
Super 12 stage
- England vs West Indies (3pm, Saturday, October 23 )
- England vs B2 qualifier TBC (11am, Wednesday, October 27)
- Australia vs England (3pm, Saturday, October 30)
- England vs A1 qualifier (2pm, Monday, November 1)
- England vs South Africa (2pm, Saturday, November 6)
See full T20 World Cup fixtures, results and standings here.
