England have named Jofra Archer in their provisional 15-man squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, backing the fast bowler despite his ongoing recovery from a left side strain that ruled him out of the latter stages of the Ashes. The announcement underlines England’s intent to prioritise impact players as they attempt to revive their white-ball fortunes under head coach Brendon McCullum.
Archer Included, Tongue Handed Big Opportunity
Archer was England’s standout performer in the Ashes before injury struck during the third Test in Adelaide. He finished the series with nine wickets at 27.11, including a five-wicket haul, and also impressed with the bat by scoring his maiden Test fifty. Although he has returned to Barbados to continue rehabilitation under the ECB medical team, England expect him to be fit in time to join the World Cup squad in India ahead of their Group C opener against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.
Another notable inclusion is Josh Tongue, who earns a place in the T20 World Cup squad despite being uncapped in international limited-overs cricket. McCullum and captain Harry Brook see Tongue as a strike bowler capable of exploiting the flatter pitches expected in India and Sri Lanka. Tongue’s form in 2025 has been outstanding, highlighted by 14 wickets in the men’s Hundred and a match-winning performance at the MCG during the Ashes, where he claimed the Mullagh Medal.
England will tour Sri Lanka with a slightly adjusted squad, as Archer is set to miss the ODIs and T20Is there. Brydon Carse will remain with the group for the T20 leg of the tour as cover. Will Jacks returns to both white-ball squads after missing the New Zealand tour, while Ben Duckett is recalled following his absence from the recent T20Is against New Zealand.
Jamie Smith Dropped as England Seek White-Ball Reset
Jamie Smith has been dropped entirely from England’s limited-overs plans following a difficult run of form. After being moved to open at the start of the year, Smith struggled across formats, averaging just 19.85 during the Ashes and recording four ducks in his last 10 ODI innings. His last T20I appearance came in June, and selectors have now opted to move on from the experiment.
Zak Crawley returns to the ODI squad for the first time since 2023, while Joe Root remains a key figure despite turning 35 and enduring a demanding Ashes schedule. England have chosen not to rest their Test regulars, even with a tight turnaround between the Ashes and the Sri Lanka tour, reflecting the urgency of improving results in white-ball cricket.
Since taking charge of England’s limited-overs sides at the start of 2025, McCullum has overseen mixed results, particularly in ODIs, where England have lost 11 of 15 matches. With England currently eighth in the ODI rankings, automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup is not guaranteed. A strong showing at the 2026 T20 World Cup could significantly ease the pressure on McCullum, especially after England’s semi-final exit in the 2024 edition led to the departure of former coach Matthew Mott.
