England’s Provisional World T20 Squad

England yesterday announced their 30-man provisional squad for the World Twenty20 that will commence in the Caribbean at the end of April. The party includes five uncapped members with the inclusions of Steven Finn, Michael Lumb, Peter Trego, David Wainwright and Chris Woakes. Notable omissions include Alastair Cook, as well as three who were included in the final 15-man squad for last year’s jamboree in England – Robert Key, Graham Napier and James Foster.

The 30-man squad is: Paul Collingwood (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Steven Davies, Joe Denly, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Sajid Mahmood, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ajmal Shahzad, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Peter Trego, Jonathan Trott, David Wainwright, Chris Woakes, Luke Wright, Michael Yardy.

Another conundrum for England during the tournament is the expected arrival of Kevin Pietersen’s first child with wife Jessica at the start of May. He is obviously central to England’s aspirations of claiming the title. It is expected that he will return home to be with his wife and newborn, although England will be hoping that the birth occurs very early in the tournament! That way they may get KP back for the crucial knock-out rounds.

England’s only two representatives at the IPL, Dimitri Mascarenhas and Owais Shah, have been included in the party too. Shah is returning despite beinh unequivocal in his criticism of the selectors following his omission from the squad to tour South Africa after last year’s Champions Trophy. It would appear that he is drinking in the last chance saloon.

So, time to play selector and guess the 15 names that will make the final squad. For me, the following will be included:

Paul Collingwood (capt), James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott and Luke Wright.

It’s a tough call. England may want to take three spinners given that the drought conditions that have afflicted the Caribbean of late have produced low-scoring, turning wickets, witness West Indies’ recent shock defeat to Zimbabwe in Trinidad. They may also want to include a debutant for experience purposes. All-rounder Mascerenhas may be preferred to someone such as Onions. There is still a bit of time before the squad needs to be whittled down, so there is still time for players to stake their claim for inclusion in the final squad.

By Miles Reucroft

March 2, 2010