England have included Jofra Archer in their provisional squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February–March, while Josh Tongue has been rewarded with his first-ever T20I call-up.
The announcement was made alongside the naming of England’s T20I and ODI squads for their upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka next month.
Although Archer has been named in the provisional World Cup squad, he will not travel to Sri Lanka for the tour. The fast bowler is continuing his rehabilitation under the supervision of the England medical team after suffering a left side strain during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide earlier this month.
Tongue, on the other hand, has been included in both the Sri Lanka T20I squad and the provisional T20 World Cup group, marking a significant milestone in his international career. Brydon Carse has been selected for the Sri Lanka T20Is but does not feature in the provisional World Cup squad.
England provisional squad for T20 World Cup and T20Is vs Sri Lanka
Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer* (T20 World Cup only), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse* (Sri Lanka tour only), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
England have retained eight players from their 2024 T20 World Cup squad, including new captain Harry Brook and former skipper Jos Buttler. The other retained players are Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid and Archer.
Notable omissions from the 2024 squad include Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Reece Topley and Mark Wood, while fresh inclusions feature Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Tongue and Luke Wood.
Zak Crawley recalled to ODI squad
England’s ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour sees the return of Zak Crawley, who has been recalled to the format for the first time since December 2023. All-rounder Will Jacks also returns to both white-ball squads after missing the tour of New Zealand in October.
England ODI squad vs Sri Lanka
Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Luke Wood
England’s tour of Sri Lanka will include three ODIs and three T20Is, serving as key preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup. The ODIs will be played on January 22, 24 and 27 at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
The T20I series will follow at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy on January 30, February 1 and February 3. The T20 World Cup begins on February 7, with England set to open their campaign on February 8 against Nepal.
