Let's look at the backbone of England's T20 campaign!
England enters the 2024 tournament as defending champions with a rich legacy. Led by Jos Buttler, the ECB's 15-member squad for the tournament reflects confidence and resilience. We spotlight five players set to leave a significant mark for England.
Jos Buttler played a pivotal role in England's victorious T20 World Cup campaign in Australia in 2022, amassing 225 runs while leading the team. With over 400 T20 matches under his belt, including 100+ internationals, Buttler boasts impressive numbers both as a batsman and a wicketkeeper. His success extends to the West Indies, one of the host countries for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Buttler's outstanding IPL 2024 season saw him score over 350 runs in 11 innings at an average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of 140.78. His two centuries, particularly the 60-ball 107* against KKR, highlight his match-winning capabilities. Given his T20I pedigree and recent IPL form, Buttler is set to lead England's charge in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Sam Curran rightfully earned the 'Player of the Tournament' title as England secured the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. The left-arm seamer's stellar performance included 13 wickets, highlighted by a decisive 3-12 spell against Pakistan in the final at the MCG. Curran's T20 excellence also earned him the captaincy of the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024. Despite challenges, the 26-year-old led the team to impressive victories, showing his all-round skills with both bat and ball. Curran's consistent form makes him a key player to watch for England in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Sam Curran with 2022’s T20 Trophy!
In IPL 2024, Phil Salt blazed 435 runs in his initial 12 innings at a staggering strike rate of over 180. The English cricketer smashed four rapid-fire half-centuries, three of which contributed to match-winning victories. Notably, his unbeaten 89* off 47 balls guided KKR to an effortless chase against LSG, while his 68* off 33 balls dismantled the Delhi Capitals' total. Despite limited opportunities in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Salt's emergence as a dynamic opener suggests an expanded role in England's title defence.
Moeen Ali, a dynamic all-rounder, enters the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies as one of England's most experienced T20I players. His cunning off-breaks are expected to be valuable on the sluggish Caribbean pitches, where he has previously excelled in limited-overs cricket. With a T20 strike rate of 140.46, Ali poses a formidable threat, particularly in the death overs. His impressive T20 record includes nearly 6,500 runs, over 200 wickets, two IPL titles, and a T20 World Cup trophy. At 36, nearing 37, Ali is determined to secure another world title before an imminent international retirement.
The explosive top-order batsman, Jonny Bairstow, heads into England's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in the West Indies and USA following an impressive stint with the bat for the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024. In just 11 innings, he amassed close to 300 runs at a staggering strike rate of 152.82. Bairstow's standout performance was his unbeaten 108 off 48 balls against KKR, powering the Punjab Kings to the highest successful run-chase in T20 history. Despite missing out on England's 2022 triumph, the 34-year-old is determined to maintain his prolific batting form and contribute to his team's title defence in the Caribbean this June.
England's success in ICC events has surged, establishing them as global contenders. Having clinched the 2022 T20 World Cup and triumphed in the 2010 edition aswell.
