England named fast bowler Jofra Archer in their provisional squad for the Twenty20 World Cup 2026 on Tuesday despite a side strain that prematurely ended his Ashes campaign in Australia earlier this month.
The 15-member squad for the World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 also includes Nottinghamshire seamer Josh Tongue, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement. Beginning on January 22, England will play three one-day internationals and an equal number of T20s in Sri Lanka before heading into the World Cup.
“Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer is included in the provisional T20 World Cup squad but will miss the tour of Sri Lanka as he continues his rehabilitation with the England medical team following the left-side strain sustained during the third Ashes test in Adelaide earlier this month,” the ECB said.
Batters Jamie Smith and Jordan Cox have been axed while seamer Saqib Mahmood could not retain his place either.
England picked Ben Duckett in both the T20 and ODI squads despite the opener’s ongoing run drought in the Ashes series.
