Slight topic change away from the upcoming New Zealand series, but what would people be looking for as a
T20 XI? Given that the WT20 is coming up in the winter, it would pay to look at building some sort of a side. If I was coach/manager/selector/skipper/Strauss I'd be looking at something like the following side:
ALEX HALES
1062 runs at 37.92, SR 138.5, in 33 matches
The first name on the team sheet for this format - an average of 38 and strike rate of 140 suggest that he's the only batsman we have who stacks up with the best in the world.
MICHAEL LUMB
552 runs at 21.23, SR 133.7, in 27 matches
It's tricky trying to pick a partner for Hales; Michael Carberry is another option, but my pick would be Michael Lumb owing to his experience of having won the World T20 before.
JOS BUTTLER
516 runs at 21.50, SR 132.0, in 37 matches
If Buttler is as destructive as everyone keeps saying he is, then he's wasted at number six or seven. Far better that he's given as many balls as possible to attack.
JOE ROOT
183 runs at 36.60, SR 126.20, in 9 matches
4 wickets at 24.00, 10.66 RPO, in 9 matches
Not the archetypal T20 player, but there's a place for him. He's good enough to work the gaps and score as quickly as the biffers and bashers. Could bowl an over or two.
EOIN MORGAN
1147 runs at 29.41, SR 132.0, in 50 matches
As skipper, he's basically guaranteed a place in the side. He too has the experience of winning a world title, but has been woefully out of form for a while.
JASON ROY
8 runs at 8.00, SR 80.0, in 1 match
In place of Moeen Ali, whose T20 record is woeful, Jason Roy comes in at six to give it a biff in the closing overs. Alternatively, Bopara, Wessels or Wright could take up this spot.
CHRIS WOAKES
39 runs at 19.50, SR 121.9, in 6 matches
4 wickets at 46.75, 9.84 RPO, in 6 matches
In Twenty20, you need five proper bowlers, at least one of whom can bowl good yorkers. The bonus of his positive batting shouldn't be needed but could be useful.
CHRIS JORDAN
80 runs at 20.00, SR 135.6, in 7 matches
9 wickets at 21.11, 8.10 RPO, in 7 matches
Not ideal, but another who has shown glimpses of being able to bowl at the death. Hopefully, he'll be able to think clearly with ball in hand.
JAMES TREDWELL
7 wickets at 59.42, 7.87 RPO, in 17 matches
A canny and reliable operator whose control of flight and length could be very valuable on Indian pitches, where you needn't rip it to be successful.
HARRY GURNEY
3 wickets at 18.33, 6.87 RPO, in 2 matches
If the selectors think he's the best left-armer we've got, then he plays. The variation offered by the different angle is invaluable in this format.
MATTHEW FISHER
Yet to make T20I debut
He's still young, and only played his first T20 match a couple of days ago, but Fisher is young and promising, and international exposure should do him some good.
* * *
Of course, that side has problems too: the bowling records of Woakes and Tredwell hardly inspire confidence, Roy and Fisher are unproven, and Buttler would be batting in a new position, and Morgan's form remains doubtful. Still, this is what I'd pick when England finally plays the format at Old Trafford in a month's time.
