Key points
- Jamie Smith and Jordan Cox omitted from World Cup selection
- Josh Tongue rewarded for Ashes performances with first white-ball call-up
- England to play Sri Lanka series before World Cup opener
ISLAMABAD: Jofra Archer has been selected in England’s squad for the T20 World Cup, despite having missed the last two Ashes Tests.
The fast bowler, who is still recovering from a side strain, has been named in a provisional 15-man squad for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka, scheduled for February and March.
Jamie Smith has been left out of both the World Cup and the forthcoming Sri Lanka tour following a challenging Ashes series, while Jordan Cox has also failed to secure a place in the squad.
Pace bowler Josh Tongue, who has never played a white-ball international for England, is rewarded for his Ashes performances with inclusion in the World Cup squad.
After England were beaten in the first three Tests against Australia to lose the Ashes series at the earliest opportunity, the World Cup would potentially give another indication of the futures of head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key.
England will play three one-day internationals and three T20s in Sri Lanka in the build-up to the World Cup, which they begin against Nepal in Mumbai on 8 February.
