England says spots up for grabs as preliminary World Cup squad named

ICC 50 Over World Cup favourites England has named a powerful squad to contest the tournament, beginning next month at home.

However 7/2-priced England has left the door open to make changes to its squad before its opening match on May 30 against South Africa.

England’s initial 15-man squad is unchanged from the team that drew 2-2 with the West Indies during the English winter in the Caribbean.

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But England has named different squads for its lead-up matches, which kick off on May 3 against Ireland, before five practice games against Pakistan, with these matches expected to finish shaping the World Cup squad.

For the clash against Ireland, England has rested Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Johnny Bairstow and Ben Stokes, while Sussex bowler Jofra Archer, who is something of a T20 specialist, will also make his ODI International debut.

Talented all-rounder Chris Jordan, who impressed against Sri Lanka recently, will also be given an opportunity to shine in the lead-up matches, with England selectors making it clear late changes to the final World Cup squad could be made if form warranted it.

England selector Ed Smith said it was too early to really bed down their final squad for the World Cup.

“In line with ICC regulations, we have to name a preliminary squad of 15 for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup before April 23,” he said.

“However, all 17 players named in the Royal London ODIs against Pakistan can stake a claim to be in the final 15-man squad, finalised at the end of that series. 

“The selection panel has been impressed with Jofra Archer’s performances in domestic and franchise cricket. He is a very talented and exciting cricketer.

“Chris Jordan, a regular in IT20 squads over the past few years, has continued to develop as a cricketer – as we saw in the IT20s in the West Indies. He fully deserves his return to the ODI squad. 

“With regard to resting players, we are conscious of managing player workloads leading into such an important summer so that players are in the best possible condition for the World Cup. That was also a factor in the way we have selected these three squads.”

Many of the player named in these squads are playing in the Indian Premier League but will return to England before April 26.

England will name its finalised 15-man squad for the World Cup after its five-match ODI Series against Pakistan, which winds up on Headingley on May 19.

Earlier this week, Australia named its World Cup squad with former captain Steve Smith and star opener David Warner both included, despite having played little cricket following their year-long suspensions for ball tampering.

England World Cup 50 Over preliminary squad

Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Liam Plunket, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

England squad for Pakistan ODI lead-up matches

Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Tom Curran (Surrey), Joe Denly (Kent), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

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