Archer, Bethell named in England’s provisional squad for T20 World Cup

LONDON, England (CMC):

Barbadians Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethell have been included in England's 15-man provisional squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Archer has been named in the squad despite suffering a side strain in the third Test of the Ashes this month, which ruled him out of the remainder of the series.

It is hoped that Archer will make a full recovery ahead of next year's World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India from February 7 to March 8.

The 30-year-old fast bowler left Australia on Boxing Day evening, after day one of the fourth Test in Melbourne, and is currently recovering in Barbados under the supervision of the ECB's medial team.

He will miss the three ODIs and three T20Is in Sri Lanka, which starts from January 22, with Brydon Carse staying on after the 50-over matches to fill in. Archer is likely to join the squad in India ahead of their opening Group C match against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Bethell's inclusion has come as no surprise. The all-rounder became England's youngest-ever captain when he was appointed to lead the Twenty20 International side against Ireland in September.

Since making his debut in 2024, Bethell has played 20 T20Is and scored 392 runs at an average of 30.15.

SQUAD: England: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.