England has settled on their 15 players that will defend the ICC Cricket World Cup in India next month. After days of speculation, it was finally confirmed that Harry Brook will be in the squad, with Jason Roy dropping out.
England Squad for 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup
Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
When confirming the squad, England selector Luke Wright said “The strength of the group has meant that we have had to make some tough decisions on world-class players with Jason Roy missing out and Harry Brook coming into the squad.”
Roy was originally named in the squad, with Brook missing out. But after the opening batter suffered an injury-disrupted series against New Zealand, he was the unlucky man to miss out, with Brook promoted to the final 15.
Mixed Messages from England
England originally named their 15-man squad back in August, on the back of Ben Stokes announcing his decision to reverse his ODI retirement. Described as a provisional squad by the England management, it was hotly debated, with big names like Harry Brook and Jofra Archer missing out.
In the days after the squad announcement, the England management backtracked and said nothing was confirmed as pundits lined up to criticise the omission of Brook in particular.
But Dawid Malan and David Willey contradicted the ‘provisional’ tag given to the squad by both claiming they were informed they were going to the World Cup.
Roy turns down the chance to impress against Ireland
It has since emerged that Jason Roy turned down the chance to join up with the England squad selected to face Ireland after Joe Root was rested for the final two matches.
Root wasn’t named in the original squad to play Ireland in the three-match series but was later added to the party to get some time in the middle after a disappointing series with the bat against New Zealand.
Now, in yet another bizarre twist, after the first game was washed-out without a ball being bowled, Root was pulled out of the squad for the remainder of the series to rest. Jason Roy was then asked to step in and cover for Root. But he declined the call-up, with Tom-Kohler Cadmore called up instead.
This seems like another slap in the face for Roy from the England selectors. And with the Surrey batter having previously turned down his ECB incremental contract in May, it remains to be seen if he will ever play for England again.
England second favourites to win the 2023 Cricket World Cup
England are second favourite in the betting to win the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. Hosts India lead the betting at 2/1, with England next at 3/1.
2027 ICC World Cup Winner Betting
But it remains to be seen how harmonious the England squad is after the messy squad selection. Any allies Jason Roy has in the current group may be heading to India feeling uncomfortable at the treatment of a player who has done so much for the side.
And it’s also pretty clear that Dawid Malan and David Willey were not overly impressed with how the squad announcement was handled and the uncertainty that went with the endless speculation.
All in all, it’s not ideal preparation for the English as they look to defend the trophy they won for the first time in 2019.
