E
ngland will contact down in India on Thursday to start last preparations for his or her Cricket World Cup defence, which begins in only a week’s time.
Jos Buttler’s facet flew out of Heathrow late on Wednesday and have a swift turnaround forward of a warm-up assembly with the host nation in Guwahati on Saturday. They additionally play Bangladesh on the identical venue in a second apply sport on Monday earlier than travelling to Ahmedabad, the place New Zealand lie in look ahead to the match curtain-raiser subsequent Thursday, a repeat of the 2019 last at Lord’s.
England’s first string have had one of the best a part of a two-week break since wrapping up a 3-1 ODI sequence victory over the Black Caps earlier this month, with a ‘B’-side beating Ireland 1-0 in a closely rain affected sequence within the interim.
The hole has given the likes of Adil Rashid and Mark Wood extra time to recuperate from calf and heel issues, respectively, and barring any points between every now and then, Buttler and Matthew Mott look more likely to have a full 15-man squad to pick from for his or her opener.
“We’re close, but it’s still a while away,” Mott mentioned earlier this week when requested whether or not England have settled on an XI for that sport. “We don’t know how guys will pull up, there’s a quick turnaround when we land in India. We’ve got a rough idea and then it’s about opposition, whether we go batter-heavy or bowler-heavy. The squad we have gives us great flexibility.”
Jofra Archer is the one reserve to have travelled with the squad, with England hoping the short’s ongoing restoration from an elbow stress fracture goes effectively sufficient to make him out there for the latter a part of the match ought to one other bowler go down injured.
Elsewhere, Mott has instructed all of these gamers concerned within the Ireland sequence, together with the likes of Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Ben Duckett and Rehan Ahmed, to remain sharp at dwelling in case wanted, however confirmed that Jason Roy additionally stays out there as a reserve opener ought to both Dawid Malan or Jonny Bairstow endure an damage.
Roy was named in a provisional squad for the match final month, however after lacking the whole New Zealand sequence with again spasms was squeezed out of the ultimate group to make approach for Harry Brook.
The Surrey batter turned down the chance to prove his form and fitness against Ireland , resulting in options his worldwide profession might be over, however Mott says he stays able to reply any emergency name.
“He is strongly keen to get on that plane,” Mott mentioned. “He is incredibly disappointed, as you would expect. He is very determined if an opportunity opens up again that he is on that plane.”
