Ashes Hero Earns Surprise Call-Up as England Announce Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

England have taken an interesting step by naming their provisional squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Their white-ball captain, Harry Brook, is set to lead the side on the upcoming Sri Lanka tour and in the T20 World Cup.

The squad has retained a lot of marquee players, with key players such as Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Phil Salt retaining their spots after featuring in the 2024 tournament, where England exited at the semi-final stage against India.

Despite a left-side strain injury during the Ashes, England are backing the right-arm fast bowler, Jofra Archer, who is among the best bowlers in the world, to lead the attack. Joining the squad for the T20 World Cup is Josh Tongue, who has earned his first-ever T20I call-up.

Josh Tongue Joins England T20 World Cup Squad, Jamie Smith Misses Out

Fast bowler Josh Tongue has earned his first T20 call-up following standout performances in The Ashes, where the Nottinghamshire pacer has claimed 12 wickets in two Tests so far, including a five-wicket haul in the historic two-day victory at the MCG during the 4th Ashes Test.

His impressive form continued in The Hundred last summer, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets for Manchester Originals, securing his spot in the national T20 setup.

The 30-year-old Jofra Archer will sit out during England's white-ball tour of Sri Lanka while focusing on his recovery. If all goes according to plan, he is expected to return for the T20 World Cup the following month, as England aim to secure their third title, having previously won the tournament in 2010 and 2022.

Brydon Carse has missed out on selection, with Josh Tongue’s inclusion pushing him out of the squad. However, the fast bowler will still play a role in the build-up, set to stand in for Jofra Archer during the three-match T20 series in Sri Lanka. England retain the flexibility to change their squad up to a week before the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8.

England Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

The England cricket team squad for T20 World Cup has been announced, although it is still provisional and could be changed if needed, up to one week before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The squad has some of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. Will Jacks returns to the setup after recovering from a broken finger that ruled him out of last autumn’s white-ball tour of New Zealand. In contrast, there is no spot for Jamie Smith, who has also been dropped from the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka.

England T20 World Cup Squad

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.