England duo can push Test case at T20 World Cup – Key
- Ex-England cricketer Rob Key believes certain players can shine in both Test and T20 cricket, hinting at their potential ahead of the T20 World Cup
Managing director Rob Key believes that Jonny Bairstow and Phil Salt can “absolutely” contend for the position of England’s Test wicketkeeper at the T20 World Cup.
Brendon McCullum, the England Test coach, stated that he must “work out” who will wear the gloves for the July series against the West Indies.
By then, Salt won’t have played red-ball cricket since September, and Bairstow would have missed four months of first-class cricket matches.
Key told BBC Sport, “The decision about who stays in the Test team won’t be based on whether or not someone has played Championship cricket.”
“We will make the decision by considering who would be the most qualified candidate for the role that we need filled.”
During the 4-1 series loss in India, Ben Foakes played as England’s keeper, while Bairstow, who had worn the gloves during the Ashes last summer, was used as a specialist hitter.
Regarding the Test keeping situation, McCullum stated following the defeat in India, “We’ll work that out in time.” We will support and invest whatever we decide, and we will attempt to give it the maximum amount of time to succeed.”
Decisions made by England once they take over the Test team this summer will partially take the Australian Ashes series in 2025–2026 into consideration.
Lancashire’s salt, in addition to Foakes and Bairstow, may be taken into consideration. The 27-year-old is now the Indian Premier League’s top foreign run scorer (IPL) after going on a scorching run in T20 cricket.
Ollie Robinson of Durham would be an additional contender. Having played for the England Lions in the past, the 25-year-old has reached 50 in each of his five County Championship innings this year.
Key declared, “Nobody will be ruled out.”
Despite not keeping for a portion of England’s December tour of the West Indies and again in the IPL, skipper Jos Buttler is anticipated to grab the gloves at the T20 World Cup, replacing both Salt and Bairstow.
Key remarked, “He captains very well with the gloves.” “He is the center of attention for everyone and the team’s lifeblood.”
Nonetheless, Buttler’s third child’s birth means that England might require a stand-in keeper and captain for the four-match series against Pakistan, which starts on May 22.
Jofra Archer, a pace bowler, has been called up by the defending champions to the World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States in June, following an injury-plagued year.
On June 4, England takes on Scotland in Barbados to start their defense of the title they won in Australia in 2022.
They act in this way following a dismal showing in the 50-over World Cup in India last year, where they finished third out of nine games despite being the defending champions.
However, Key refuted reports that skipper Buttler and coach Matthew Mott were under extra pressure to lead his team to victory in the T20 World Cup.
Key stated, “Getting your players playing as well as they can is what it means to be a coach and captain.” Let’s concentrate on it. Forget about the outcome in the end.
Every group aspires to triumph. We are as likely as anyone.
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