LONDON: England have announced their squad for the T20I series against India, with Harry Brook named as captain in a quick turnaround from Test duty.
Harry Brook could lead England in the series opener against the Indian national cricket team within 48 hours of completing a Test match, depending on whether the deciding fifth day of England’s ongoing series against New Zealand takes place.
England’s third and final Test against New Zealand could start on Thursday and run until Monday, while Brook has a tight travel schedule from Nottingham to Chester-le-Street ahead of the T20I on Wednesday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named an expanded 17-man squad for the five-match series, which includes Sussex all-rounder James Coles, while retaining a core group largely unchanged from the squad that reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals earlier this year.
While Jos Buttler was part of the World Cup campaign, veteran spinner Liam Dawson is included at 36.
Brooke was one of six players selected for both the Test squad and the T20I squad alongside Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethel, Jordan Cox and Josh Dungu. England are expected to manage the workload carefully as the fast bowlers are unlikely to feature in back-to-back formations.
England national selector Marcus North said the expanded squad was designed to provide flexibility amid a crowded international schedule.
“We’ve picked a big squad to accommodate the fact that the series starts soon after the end of the Test series against New Zealand, which allows us to be flexible,” North said.
A busy calendar means many England players could feature in overlapping series this summer, including ODIs against India, The Centurion and upcoming Test commitments.
After an impressive performance for Sussex, England Lions and various T20Is, Sussex all-rounder James Coles gets his first international call-up.
The left-arm spinner, who bats in the middle order, was also the most expensive player in the opening century auction, signing a £390,000 deal with London Spirit.
Sonny Baker, Saqib Mahmood and Jordan Cox are also included in England, while Jamie Overton (quad injury), Brayden Carrs (arm injury) and Ben Duckett are out.
Phil Salt is expected to return after a finger injury in the IPL, while the series marks the start of England’s new T20 cycle.
England T20 squad against India
Harry Brook (catch), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Panton, Jacob Bethel, Jos Buttler (week), James Coles, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh W and Luke Dungew and others.
Fixtures