The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced England’s cricket team’s playing eleven for the opening game of the 5-match T20I series against the India cricket team.
England manage Jofra Archer’s workload
Jofra Archer, who played two Test matches against New Zealand, the last of which ended on June 29 in Nottingham, has been rested. The turnaround between the Test and T20I was just 2 days, and England won’t risk Archer getting injured. Mind you, the fast bowler was rested for the first Test to manage his workload.
James Coles’ debut to wait
James Coles, who earned his maiden England call-up, hasn’t been included. The all-rounder misses out, with Sam Curran and Will Jacks, both of whom were part of England’s T20 World Cup campaign, making the side ahead of him.
Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox, and Josh Tongue also miss out. Tongue featured in all three Test matches against New Zealand, and it’s understandable why he won’t play on July 1. Rehan, Baker and Cox can’t make the team ahead of the likes of Phil Salt, Liam Dawson and Saqib Mahmood.
India’s captain, Shreyas Iyer, was also asked about the combination but didn’t reveal anything. We’ll have to wait for the toss at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.
England Playing XI for 1st India T20I
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood
Bench: Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Josh Tongue
England vs India T20I series schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | July 1 | Chester-le-Street | 10 PM |
| 2nd T20I | July 4 | Manchester | 7 PM |
| 3rd T20I | July 7 | Nottingham | 10 PM |
| 4th T20I | July 9 | Bristol | 10 PM |
| 5th T20I | July 11 | Southampton | 7 PM |
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