England youngster in reckoning for World Cup spot despite omission
Brook couldn’t find a place in England’s provisional squad for the Cricket World Cup in India. The Yorkshire player made his ODI debut this year against South Africa, and has played three games in the format.
Brook had set the international stage on fire with his quick-fire batting after making his Test debut last year, a format in which his strike-rate stands at 91.76. While there is no doubt around his suitability to the limited-overs game, his omission was the result of England’s batting riches in the middle-order.
A number of Brook’s competitors like Liam Livingstone, who bowls off-spin and leg-spin, also have the added advantage of being all-rounders.
Ben Stokes’s decision to reverse his ODI retirement and return as a specialist batter also played a role in Brook’s absence. However, the youngster responded with a scintillating 41-ball hundred in England’s domestic limited overs competition, The Hundred.
Speaking in the aftermath of this knock, Buttler said that there was still a long way to go to the World Cup and that England would wait on further developments.
“There's still a long time before everyone is meant to get on the plane, so we'll wait and see what happens," Buttler said.
“We all know Harry's a fantastic player and we saw what he can do the other night. It's not like it's a surprise: we know what a brilliant player he is, he's just the unfortunate one at the moment to not be in that squad at the moment.”
The England skipper added that while Stokes’s availability changed the squad dynamics, the team’s problem of plenty was a good one to have.
“Of course, Ben Stokes coming back and being available just as a batter sort of changes the dynamic a little bit. Ben's a fantastic player to be able to welcome back, so it's a really tough selection.
“There's been (a lot of) players performing really well over a period of time. That's where we're at the minute. We're blessed with a lot of strength in depth, and talent. Excellent players (are) not in that provisional squad at the moment.”
“It's been the nature of England squads in the white-ball teams over the last few years really, which is a great sign for us. They're good problems to have.”
Brook will next feature for England in the upcoming four-game T20I series against New Zealand.
Teams do not have to formally submit their provisional World Cup squad to the ICC until 5 September, and further changes can be made up until 28 September.
England's provisional squad for the World Cup: Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
