Morgan’s Eoin If England wins the T20 Global Cup, they would become double world champions — but they will have to do so without star Ben Stokes.
In 2019, the all-rounder was instrumental in England’s maiden 50-over World Cup victory, batting an undefeated 84 and then striking crucial runs in the Super Over against New Zealand in the final.
The following month, he virtually single-handedly defeated Australia by blasting an unbroken 135 at Headingley in the third Ashes Test, cementing his position in English legend.
However, the 30-year-old has not worn an England shirt since July, as he took time away from the game to focus on his mental health and a nagging finger issue.
It implies he won’t be able to seek atonement in the United Arab Emirates or Oman.
After being humiliated in the 2016 final by Carlos Brathwaite, who blasted four straight sixes off his bowling to claim the trophy, the Durham star had a point to prove.
After undergoing surgery for an elbow injury earlier this year, England will be missing another 2019 World Cup star in Jofra Archer.
Morgan’s squad, on the other hand, remains a tournament favourite as they chase their first T20 global crown since 2010 and a chance to become the first team to win both limited-overs medals at the same time.
England leads the Twenty20 rankings and has a number of international white-ball players, including captain Morgan, Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, and Dawid Malan, the world’s best T20 batsman.
Liam Livingstone, who has a strike rate of 167 runs per 100 balls in T20 internationals, adds a certain X-factor to England’s frightening batting line-up.
In a T20 encounter against Pakistan in July, the 28-year-old all-rounder shone for Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred and hit England’s fastest-ever international century (a 42-ball blitz).
Chris Woakes, a multi-format all-rounder who returned to T20 international cricket earlier this year after a five-year absence, is in the squad.
After excelling in the Hundred, left-arm seamer Tymal Mills is back in the England fold for the first time in over five years, helping to compensate for the absence of Archer.
Although the loss of Stokes and Archer is a significant disadvantage, Buttler feels England has the firepower to contend.
“We’ll focus a lot on ourselves and play to our greatest abilities,” he added. “If we do that, I think we’ll go a long way.”
“Becoming multiple world champions would be a big accomplishment, and I believe we all recognise that it won’t be easy.”
Some of the new players, according to Buttler, will be significant additions to the England side.
“Liam had an incredible summer,” the wicketkeeper-batsman remarked. “He was the poster boy for the century against Pakistan and the Hundred, so he’ll go into the competition full of confidence.”
“We have a handful of match-winners on our team, and Liam is one of them.” I liked watching the Hundred, and seeing Tymal in action was fantastic.”
England’s campaign kicks off on October 23 in Dubai against the West Indies, followed by matches against Australia and South Africa, as well as two games against first-round qualifiers.
