England name provisional squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

England have taken a decisive step towards their T20 World Cup campaign by naming a 15-player provisional squad, with Harry Brook confirmed as white-ball captain for both the Sri Lanka tour and the global tournament. Brook leads a core group of experienced campaigners including Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Phil Salt, all of whom featured in the 2024 edition where England exited in the semi-finals against India.

Despite suffering a left side strain during the Ashes, Jofra Archer has been included, underlining the ECB’s faith in his match-winning ability. Archer is currently recovering in Barbados and is expected to link up with the squad in India ahead of England’s opening Group C clash against Nepal on February 8. Also selected is Josh Tongue, who receives his maiden T20I call-up, rewarded for impressive breakthroughs in The Hundred and the Ashes.

Brydon Carse has also been drafted into the touring group for Sri Lanka as England assess seam options in subcontinental conditions, while Will Jacks returns to both white-ball squads after missing the New Zealand tour. Zak Crawley earns an ODI recall for the first time since 2023, and Joe Root strengthens the 50-over middle order as England seek to correct a dip in their ODI fortunes under Brendon McCullum.

There is no place in the provisional squad for Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, or Saqib Mahmood, with Smith omitted after a short-lived trial at the top of the order. Duckett returns to the T20I fold, while Tongue’s selection reflects England’s desire for strike pace on flatter World Cup pitches in India and Sri Lanka. Mahmood continues his recovery from knee surgery, ruling him out of contention.

England’s decision to retain the bulk of their senior Test contingent, despite a tight turnaround from the Ashes, highlights the importance of restoring white-ball authority and momentum. McCullum’s dual-role tenure has so far delivered mixed results, with England losing 11 of 15 ODIs and holding a modest T20I record. A strong showing at the World Cup would not only solidify Brook’s leadership era, but also provide crucial stability ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup qualification cycle.

Having lifted the T20 World Cup in 2010 and 2022, England will enter the 2026 edition with expectation and experience, and renewed hunger after the heartbreak of 2024’s semi-final exit.

England Squad (Provisional for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026):

Harry Brook (C), 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

England’s T20 WC group fixtures:

vs Nepal, February 8, Mumbai
vs West Indies, February 11, Mumbai
vs Bangladesh, February 14, Kolkata
vs Italy, February 16, Kolkata

T20I squad v Sri Lanka:

Harry Brook (C), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse* (Sri Lanka tour only), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

ODI squad v Sri Lanka:

Harry Brook (C), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Luke Wood

Fixtures v Sri Lanka

ODIs: