Rahul NareshHaving been one of the favourites to win the T20I World Cup last year, England are coming into this year’s T20I World Cup with a similar squad, similar strengths, and similar expectations. Their batting-heavy lineup will often look to outscore other teams in Australia.
England were unfortunate to crash out in the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup, but they will surely look to take back the trophy this time around.
There is no doubt that England remain among the favourites to win the T20I World Cup. However, a few injuries and uncertainties have made things a little interesting for them this time around.
Here are my top five English players to look out for at the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Reece Topley
Topley has been quite the find for England. The left-arm quick has impressed during his short span with the English white-ball set-up. His performances in England against India and South Africa were more than impressive. Not only does he pick up wickets, he is also quite economical.
Topley has shown that he can perform in foreign conditions as well. His reasonable performances in Pakistan showed that he could adapt to unfamiliar conditions. The Australian pitches, with their pace and bounce, will certainly assist him, and he could be a handful for the opposition batters during the World Cup.
Adil Rashid
Back to the conversation around wrist spinners. Adil Rashid is England’s frontline spinner, and all eyes will be on how he takes to the wickets in Australia. England’s other spin options are Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone — part-time bowlers. Hence, much of the spin department load will rest on Rashid’s shoulders.
Rashid’s performances on England’s tour of Pakistan were not extraordinary by any means. He had a rather poor time on spin-friendly pitches. Therefore, eyes will be on Rashid to see how he deals with the pressure of the occasion in Australia, particularly because of his form moving into the big tournament.
Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali will be crucial to England’s chances of winning the T20I World Cup. Not just with the bat, Ali will have to play a major role with the ball as well if England are to win the World Cup.
Ali was quite good with the bat against South Africa and will surely enjoy the pace on the wickets in Australia. Along with his incredible ball-striking ability comes his canny off-break. Moeen can bowl in the Powerplay if need be and can operate through the middle overs. He picks up wickets here and there and keeps his overs tidy more often than not. He will surely be one to look out for.
Liam Livingstone
Up next is yet another all-rounder. Liam Livingstone has been brilliant with the bat in the last couple of years. He performed brilliantly in the previous two seasons of the Indian Premier League as well.
Livingstone will perform the finisher’s role for England. He perfectly suits the way England play T20 cricket. Livingstone loves getting after the bowling from ball one, which is something he can afford to do given England’s long batting lineup.
Lastly, Livingstone will also be crucial with the ball. He can bowl both off-breaks and leg-breaks, which his captains have liberally utilised in international and franchise tournaments.
Jos Buttler
The current captain of the England men’s T20I side. The reasons for keeping an eye out on Jos are obvious. An incredibly brilliant striker of the ball, he is easily among the top three T20 players in the world at the moment.
Buttler is also coming off a brilliant IPL season with the Rajasthan Royals, which will give the English management an incredible amount of confidence going into the T20I World Cup.
Buttler returned to the national side after England’s tour of Pakistan in September. His 68 off 32 against Australia in the 1st T20I of the ongoing series proves just how dangerous he can end up being at the coming World Cup.
