England’s cricket team is currently engaged in a thrilling home Test series against Sri Lanka, leading the series 1-0. Following this, England is set to face Australia in a highly anticipated series featuring three T20 and five ODI matches starting from September 11. As the selectors announced the team for both formats, several surprising decisions were made, leaving many fans and players shocked, particularly with the exclusion of several star players.
Star Players Omitted from England’s Squad
In a bold move, England’s selectors have excluded notable names like Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, and Chris Jordan from the squad for the upcoming series against Australia. All three were recently part of the T20 World Cup setup, where England faced a disappointing semi-final loss to India. In their absence, five new players have been added to the T20 squad, marking their debut in the England team: Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethel, Dan Mousley, Josh Hall, and John Turner.
Another Miss for Joe Root
Perhaps the most surprising exclusion is that of star batsman Joe Root from the ODI team. Root, who has been a pivotal figure in England’s batting lineup, played in 2023 and was expected to participate in the upcoming matches following a brief hiatus. His absence raises eyebrows, especially considering his exceptional form in Test cricket. As of now, he has amassed 19,546 runs in international cricket, including 48 centuries. Notably, Root has scored 6,522 runs in ODIs, with 16 of those being centuries.
Key Performers Returning
Despite the exclusions, England welcomes back its regular white-ball captain Jos Buttler, who has recovered from injury, and premier fast bowler Jofra Archer, set to make his first ODI appearance since March 2023. Both players are expected to bolster the team’s performance significantly.
England’s Squad for the Australia Series
| Format | Squad |
|---|---|
| T20 Team | Jos Buttler (Captain), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethel, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Josh Hall, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, John Turner. |
| ODI Team | Jos Buttler (Captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Josh Hall, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Reece Topley, John Turner. |
This announcement has already stirred discussions among fans and cricket pundits about the selectors’ strategy and the future of several players. As the series against Australia approaches, the focus will now shift to how these new faces perform and whether England can maintain its competitive edge on the international stage.
