'He’s a gun player and he may be in that Ireland squad' - England coach hints Harry Brook's inclusion in the World Cup squad

A few weeks ago, England announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming New Zealand series, and it was widely believed that this same group would head to India for the World Cup, barring unforeseen circumstances like injuries.

However, the omission of Harry Brook from that squad raised eyebrows and ignited debates. Since then, Brook has been on a mission to prove his worth, showcasing exceptional form in both The Hundred and the T20I series against New Zealand, which culminated in a 2-2 draw.

Speaking after the recent clash against the Black Caps, Coach Mott clarified that the squad announced earlier remains provisional. Teams have the flexibility to make changes up until the ICC's deadline of September 28. When asked about Harry Brook's chances, Mott stated to BBC, "Yes, it is. He is one of a number of players who has an opportunity to put their hand up." 

Mott emphasized the importance of players responding to squad omissions with stellar performances, and he acknowledged Brook's impressive hundred in The Hundred as a strong statement. "Those are all good things that go in his favor," Mott added. "It is still open for debate, and there will be plenty of good cricket played in the next month, so we’ll see what that squad ends up looking like."

While England's focus is currently on the ODI series against New Zealand, which kicks off in Cardiff, Harry Brook is not part of the initial squad. However, Mott hinted at a different plan, suggesting that Brook might find himself in the mix for the three ODIs against Ireland that follow. Given that the first World Cup warm-up match takes place in India just four days later.

Mott praised Brook's potential, calling him a gun player and expressing belief in his future as one of the best in his generation. The selection process for the World Cup, he explained, is challenging, involving discussions about what-ifs and contingency plans.

“He may be in that Ireland squad so you can read into that, he’s a gun player and I believe he is going to be one of the best players in his generation."

“It’s just an incredibly hard side to select and to squeeze 15 players into it. It’s not always about just picking the best players, we’ll sit down with the panel, we’ve thrown some ideas around but we won’t nail it down until we see how this series goes. So yeah, stay ready!”  Mott added.