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England’s head coach, Matthew Mott, has expressed a strategic approach towards the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, aiming to provide ample recovery time for star players Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. Both players are currently sidelined due to injuries, with Stokes recovering from knee surgery post the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, and Archer managing a persistent shoulder problem.
Recognizing the pivotal roles played by Stokes and Archer, Mott has affirmed his intention to keep two spots available for them in the final 15-man squad. The coach acknowledges the invaluable contributions these players bring to the team, emphasizing their match-winning abilities and the flexibility they provide in team balance.
Mott stated, “Ben, aside from his incredible match-winning ability in every department, gives us that ability to have a seam bowler in your top six that gives you so many options with your team balance…It makes selection a hell of a lot easier. So that’s a given. In terms of Jofra, you’ve just got absolute box-office pace, change of pace, bowl any over in the innings.”
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With less than six months remaining until the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean, Mott believes England is closing in on the final squad composition. The ongoing T20I series against the West Indies serves as a crucial platform to finalize the team and establish a winning combination.
While the primary focus is on the ongoing series, Mott acknowledges the impressive form of Phil Salt, who scored back-to-back centuries in Trinidad. The coach hints at the possibility of Salt opening alongside skipper Jos Buttler at the T20 World Cup, showcasing the depth and competition within the team.
Mott remarked, “It’s looking pretty good, isn’t it? We’ve got a lot of time between now and then. Salty has put an undeniable case there, and Jos is one of the greatest of all time. So how we get that top six or seven going will be an interesting thing.”
As England aims to defend its T20 World Cup title, the strategic planning and emphasis on player recovery underscore the team’s determination to assemble a formidable squad for the prestigious tournament in 2024.
-IANS
