T20 World Cup news: England look to quiet off-field controversies with performances on the pitch
England have always been amongst the best T20 teams in the world, but do they have the muscle to lift the World Cup trophy for the second time?
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Sai Raghav Balakrishnan previews their chances ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
A team under significant pressure
This might be Brendon McCullum’s last chance to prove his mettle as England coach, following a miserable Ashes tour that left the team riddled with problems on and off the pitch.
Harry Brook, who took over white-ball captaincy last year, has faced immense scrutiny since news of his altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand in November 2025.
The 26-year-old was admittedly lucky to keep his captaincy, and his latest public apology has led to more raised eyebrows over the English management.
Brook revealed that he had taken blame for the incident while failing to reveal that other players were present, with reports Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue may now be investigated.
However, it is easy to forget England’s consistency during the past decade as they have reached the semi-finals of the last four tournaments – a feat not achieved by any other side.
They are also fresh off an impressive 3-0 whitewash of co-hosts Sri Lanka, inking the blueprint for how the team will set up.
Under Brook, they’ve stuck to the tried-and-tested formula of prioritising batting depth while boasting a spin-heavy line-up, which has been successful.
Despite a focus in the bowling department, England can also claim to have strong batters down the entire scorecard, with Adil Rashid boasting 10 first-class hundreds.
READ MORE: Cricket news: England head coach Brendon McCullum’s moment of truth as T20 World Cup looms
Players to watch out for
Phil Salt has cemented himself as one of the most in-form T20 openers, second in the world behind Indian superstar Abhishek Sharma.
The explosive batter has opened the batting in T20 cricket more than anyone in the world since the start of 2023, showcasing his experience in the format.
His ultra-aggressive nature comes with consistency, highlighted by his average of 38 at a strike rate of 168 in 50 T20Is.
Salt’s destructive opening partnership with England’s greatest-ever in the format, Jos Buttler, will be instrumental to a long run in the tournament.
Both players are also vastly experienced IPL stalwarts on flat Indian pitches.
Rashid, at 37, might be playing his last T20 World Cup and will want to sign off on a glittering white-ball career with another trophy.
A cornerstone of English spin bowling since his debut in 2009, the wily leg-spinner will be the aggressive side of his partnership with Liam Dawson.
Furthermore, it will be on him to guide Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks as they start to take more responsibility with the ball.
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Potential slip-ups on the sub-continent
Brook’s prowess against spin is yet to be proved on the sub-continent.
The Yorkshireman announced himself with a century for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023 but has struggled since, averaging a touch over 20.
In the middle order, expect teams to barrage him early with spin to unsettle him.
If Brook comes out unscathed, it will spell destruction for the opposition’s bowling attacks as his ability to manipulate the field is on par with the best of the world.
All-rounder Jamie Overton remains the biggest weakness in England’s bowling.
Overton has the capacity to consistently hit 145 kilometres per hour while providing power at the end of the innings.
Yet, although his batting has stood up to the mark, Overton’s bowling has come under the pump for being too expensive, especially in sub-continent conditions.
His economy rates of 10.62 and 11.43 in India and Sri Lanka, respectively, are extortionate and may prove costly.
He has also often been used in the powerplay, a phase he is not used to bowling in, and England will be hoping that he can adjust quickly.
Prediction
England should have a smooth journey through the group stages, but the Super 8 will be much tougher as they’ll likely be seeded into a group with New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
I predict a semi-final run for the Three Lions, with their ability to play spin being tested by heavyweights India and Australia.
Best XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (capt), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
Reserves: Ben Duckett, Rehan Ahmed, Luke Wood, Josh Tongue
England’s T20 World Cup fixtures
February 8 – Nepal (Mumbai)
February 11 – West Indies (Mumbai)
February 14 – Scotland (Kolkata)
February 16 – Italy (Kolkata)
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