Tymal Mills earns England T20 World Cup squad place after four-year absence
The Sussex fast bowler Tymal Mills returns to the international set-up for the first time in four years in the England T20 Men’s World Cup squad announced on Thursday. Mills gets his chance with Jofra Archer ruled out by injury, while Ben Stokes continues to take an indefinite break from all cricket to prioritise his mental wellbeing.
Mills has been impressive this summer in the Vitality T20 Blast, where he has helped Sussex reach Finals Day at Edgbaston later this month. He also showcased his skills will great accomplishment in the Hundred, helping Southern Brave lift the men’s trophy in the tournament’s inaugural year. Mills’ last England appearance came in a T20 defeat to India in Bengaluru back in February 2017..
Head coach Chris Silverwood said: “We are excited about the prospect of challenging to win the ICC T20 World Cup. I believe we have selected a squad that covers all bases and has the depth to be successful in what is expected to be a very competitive tournament featuring the best players in the world.
“Tymal Mills deserves his inclusion and has demonstrated over the past couple of years, but particularly this summer that he has all skills to succeed at this level,” Silverwood added.
“His exceptional pace is a standout, and the way he has spearheaded Sussex and Southern Brave’s respective attacks in the short-form game has shown that he relishes the pressures of the big stage. He will add variety to our bowling unit, and we can’t wait to see him play in a major international tournament.”
The 29-year-old takes up a vacancy in the England attack created by Jofra Archer’s injury-enforced omission, while there is good news for another left-arm seamer, David Willey, who has edged Tom Curran to the final bowling place. Curran has been a mainstay of England’s white-ball squad but has struggled for consistency, slipping behind the likes of Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan in the pecking order.
Curran has been named as one of three travelling reserve players who will shadow the main squad, alongside Hampshire duo Liam Dawson and James Vince. Dawson has edged out Lancashire leg-spinner Matt Parkinson as the back-up spin option, whileVince will provide batting cover.
Despite an expectation that pitches in the United Arab Emirates will be spin-friendly, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid are the only two specialist slow bowlers in the squad. England’s de facto third spinner will be Liam Livingstone, whose primary role is that of destructive middle-order batsman.
Having hit an English record 42-ball century against Pakistan earlier this summer and excelling in The Hundred, Livingstone steps into the role on the crest of a wave and will be required to provide a match-winning spark in the absence of Stokes.
England have until 10 October to finalise their squad ahead of the tournament. As part of the team’s buildup, England are scheduled to play four warm-up matches, including a two-match T20I series against Pakistan. Both matches will take place at the Rawalpindi International Stadium, on 14 and 15 October.