Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell return as England name white-ball squads for Australia tour
England have announced their white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Australia, combining the return of established internationals with opportunities for emerging talent. With preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup gathering momentum, the selectors have named a strong 16-member ODI squad led by Harry Brook, while the T20I setup features four uncapped players. Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethell headline the ODI selections, while the absence of several fast bowlers from the T20I squad reflects England’s workload management plans ahead of their Test tour of South Africa.
Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethell return to England’s ODI squad
Archer and Bethell are among the notable inclusions in England’s ODI squad for the three-match series against Australia in November. Archer was rested for the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan, while Bethell has recovered from the knee injury he sustained during England’s ODI series against India in July.
Their returns provide England with additional options as they build towards next year’s World Cup. The squad includes several experienced players, with Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid and Will Jacks also selected. However, England will be without Jos Buttler, who remains unavailable following recent hamstring surgery. Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood has also missed selection because of a knee injury.
Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker and Josh Tongue have all been included in the ODI squad, but none of the four will feature in the subsequent T20I series. England are managing their fast-bowling resources with the upcoming Test tour of South Africa in mind.
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Four uncapped players earn T20I opportunities
England’s T20I squad presents an opportunity for new faces to make their mark at international level. Thomas Rew and Eddie Jack have received their maiden call-ups, joining two other uncapped players in the 16-member group. Rew, aged 18, is the youngest member of the squad. His selection comes shortly after he received an ECB central contract, highlighting his progress within England’s cricketing setup. He also captained England to the final of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup in February.
Both Rew and Jack were previously part of the England Lions squad that toured Australia last year, giving them experience of the country’s conditions before their potential senior international appearances. Meanwhile, Phil Salt returns after recovering from the quad injury that forced him to miss England’s 3-0 T20I series victory over Sri Lanka last month. Aneurin Donald has retained his place following his international debut during that series, while Luke Wood has also earned a recall.
Brook will continue to captain the T20I side, with Bethell, Root’s experienced teammates in the ODI setup, and all-rounders Curran and Jamie Overton among the players available across the white-ball programme. England’s tour begins with a warm-up match at the WACA in Perth on November 7. The ODI series will then take place across three venues, providing Brook’s side with an important opportunity to assess their preparations ahead of next year’s World Cup. The three ODIs are scheduled for November 13 in Perth, November 15 in Adelaide and November 18 in Hobart. The five-match T20I series will begin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 21.
England ODI squad for Australia tour: Harry Brook (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Josh Tongue
England T20I squad: Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Aneurin Donald, Eddie Jack, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Thomas Rew, Phil Salt, Luke Wood
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