Rob Key has primed England’s T20 batsmen to prepare for a World Cup ‘slugfest’ after they arrive within the Caribbean to defend their title in June.
Six-hitting has gone via the roof on the IPL, with gamers emboldened by the affect sub rule which permits groups to elongate their batting line-up ought to circumstances demand.
And whereas the World Cup, which is being collectively held with the USA and will get underneath means in Dallas, Texas, on June 2, will revert to an 11-against-11 format, cricket’s power-hitters are unlikely to take a backward step.
England even have recent reminiscences of their five-match T20 journey to the Caribbean earlier than Christmas.
It produced 120 sixes, a world report for a 20-over collection, with West Indies outhitting them by 64 to 56 – of which opener Phil Salt alone managed 22 – and working out 3-2 victors.
Phil Salt smashes a six throughout England’s T20 collection within the West Indies simply earlier than Christmas
Jonny Bairstow is considered one of a number of clear ball strikers within the England T20 batting line-up
England managing director Rob Key has advised the batsmen to arrange for a World Cup ‘slugfest’
Key, the ECB’s managing director of males’s cricket, defined that the inclusion within the provisional 15-man squad of the 35-year-old Chris Jordan was partly pushed by his latest batting exploits in franchise tournaments, which he hopes will give Jos Buttler’s facet the depth to encourage the highest order to go for broke.
‘His bowling has at all times been a critical issue for us, however his batting appears to have kicked on a bit,’ mentioned Key. ‘We needed to ensure we had as lengthy a batting line-up as attainable.
‘After we had that collection within the Caribbean, it was a slugfest, actually: six after six, with each groups buying and selling blows. It grew to become obvious how a lot worth you need to placed on the facility sport.
‘Additionally, I believe it is our power. Look down our listing: you see Buttler, Salt, Jacks, Bairstow, Livingstone, Moeen, Jordan.’
Launching the ball out of the small West Indian grounds is one factor.
Jordan, Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone with the trophy after England’s World Cup triumph
Jofra Archer has been included in England’s 15-man provisional squad forward of the World Cup
Stopping opponents from doing the identical is sort of one other, and Key’s assured that Jofra Archer – a part of a squad that may also contest the four-match T20 collection at residence to Pakistan in late Could – will likely be absolutely slot in time for England’s first World Cup sport, in opposition to Scotland on his residence island of Barbados on June 4.
Archer, who hasn’t performed worldwide cricket since March 2023 due to a difficult proper elbow, not too long ago mentioned he was not sure he may bear one other ‘stop-start’ 12 months.
However England, conscious he could possibly be the distinction between lifting the trophy and flying residence empty-handed, are easing him again into the sport, together with membership matches within the Caribbean and Second XI cricket for Sussex.
‘Jofra is simply so particular, you do the whole lot you’ll be able to to attempt to get him again enjoying,’ mentioned Key. ‘We have taken the longer street this time. However, as at all times with Jofra, it is fingers crossed till he is on the market enjoying.
‘He is monitoring nicely in the mean time. Hopefully when he will get into that Pakistan collection, it should be full-match depth, and we’ll see how he retains going via there.’
England have handed a shock recall to Chris Jordan for T20 World Cup within the Caribbean
Key additionally insisted he had by no means doubted the mix as captain and coach of Buttler and Matthew Mott, regardless of England’s dismal defence of their 50-over title in India within the autumn.
‘There was lots of noise about it, however I really feel these guys are the best ones to take ahead what is correct now a brisker staff,’ he mentioned.
‘We have got a staff that is bought a bit extra of a mix of youth and expertise. It is such an important period of white-ball cricket and now we’re beginning to transfer into the subsequent period. And I believe these two will likely be glorious.’
