It’s going to be a SLUGFEST

Six-hitters can win us another World Cup, says Key

ROB KEY has primed england’s T20 batsmen to get ready for a World Cup ‘slugfest’ when they arrive in the Caribbean to defend their title next month.

Six-hitting has gone through the roof at the Indian Premier League, with players emboldened by the impact sub rule which allows teams to lengthen their batting line-up should circumstances demand.

And while the World Cup, which is being jointly held with the USA and gets under way in Dallas, Texas, on June 2, will revert to an 11-against-11 format, cricket’s power-hitters are unlikely to take a backward step.

england also have fresh memories of their five-match T20 trip to the Caribbean before Christmas. It produced 120 sixes, a world record for a 20-over series, with West Indies out-hitting them by 64 to 56 — of which opener Phil Salt alone managed 22 — and running out 3-2 victors.

Key, the eCB’s managing director of men’s cricket, explained that the inclusion in the provisional 15-man squad of the 35-year-old Chris Jordan was partly driven by his recent batting exploits in franchise tournaments, which he hopes will give Jos Buttler’s side the depth to encourage the top order to go for broke. Key said: ‘his bowling has always been a serious factor for us, but his batting seems to have kicked on a bit. We wanted to make sure we had as long a batting line-up as possible.

‘When we had that series in the Caribbean, it was a slugfest, really: six after six, with both teams trading blows. It became apparent how much value you have to put on the power game. Also, I think it’s our strength. Look down our list: you see Buttler, Salt, Jacks, Bairstow, Livingstone, Moeen, Jordan.’

Launching the ball out of the small West Indian grounds is one thing. Preventing opponents from doing the same is quite another, and Key is confident that Jofra Archer — part of a squad that will also contest the fourmatch T20 series at home to Pakistan later this month — will be fully fit in time for england’s first World Cup game, against Scotland on his home island of Barbados on June 4.

Archer, who hasn’t played international cricket since March last year because of a troublesome right elbow, recently said he was unsure he could bear another ‘stop- start’ year. But england, aware he could be the difference between lifting the trophy and flying home empty-handed, are easing him back into the game, including club matches in the Caribbean and Second XI cricket for Sussex.

‘Jofra is so special, you do everything you can to try to get him back playing,’ said Key. ‘ We’ve taken the longer road this time. But, as always with Jofra, it’s fingers crossed until he’s out there playing.’

Key also insisted he had never doubted the combination as captain and coach of Buttler and Matthew Mott, despite england’s dismal defence of their 50-over title in India in the autumn.

‘There was a lot of noise about it, but I feel these guys are the h right i ht ones t to take forward what is right now a fresher team,’ said Key.