T20 WC 2021: England’s strongest predicted playing XI for the tournament

We are barely a few months away from the 7th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 WC 2021. There has been a lot of hype around the ICC trophy for the shortest format of the game. Amidst this hype, a lot of teams have started preparing for it well in advance.

Among all the teams, England look one of the strongest going into the T20 WC. They have almost all their bases covered. As a matter of fact, the players unable to make it to the English T20 squad would have been regular features in any other team, that’s how strong they are.

The Poms are currently the number one ranked T20I side according to the ICC Rankings. However, considering a few injuries and changes, what would be their ideal playing XI for the T20 WC? Today,  let’s take a look at-

England’s strongest predicted playing XI for T20 WC 2021

1) Jason Roy

Jason Roy is currently one of the best openers in the world. His muscle power is second to none. His ability to clear the ropes at will is what makes him a player to watch out for.

He has scored 1193 runs in 48 T20I games. His batting average and strike rate are 24.85 and 145.67 respectively. He has also scored six fifties in this format.

His recent form has been good as well. It is safe to say that he has been one of the most impactful players for England in the shortest format of the game. Thus, a lot will be expected from Jason Roy in the upcoming T20 WC.

2) Jos Buttler (WK)

Nicknamed “Jos the Boss”, Jos has surely been a nightmare for bowlers. Buttler is one of the most explosive players of this generation. He is unarguably one of the biggest threats to almost every team out there.

The English wicketkeeper can change the game in just a few overs. Not to forget his amazing glove work. He has been super consistent ever since he started opening for England in the shortest format of the game.

The “Mr. 360” of England has scored 1871 runs in 82 T20I games. His batting average and strike rate in this format are 31.71 and 139.84 respectively. This includes 14 T20I fifties.

3) Dawid Malan

In a team full of sloggers, one will definitely need an anchor more often than not. One wouldn’t find too many anchors as dependable as Malan. The English batsman has been the “Mr. Consistent” of T20I cricket for quite a while now.

As a matter of fact, he is currently ranked the number one batsman in this format. He has made it a habit to score runs for fun in this format. His temperament and composure make him a valuable addition to this English side.

Malan has scored 1123 T20I runs in just the 30 games. His batting average and strike rate in this format are 43.19 and 139.33 respectively. This includes 11 T20I fifties.

4) Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow is unarguably one of the greatest batsmen in the shortest versions of the game currently. You wouldn’t find too many hard hitters as consistent as him. He can also don the gloves if necessary.

Bairstow has played scored 1143 runs in the 51 T20I innings in which he has played. His batting average and strike rate are 27.88 and 137.05 respectively. He has also scored 7 T20I fifties. Another important point to be noted is the fact that he can open the innings if needed.

The SRH batsman is one of England’s key players going into the T20 WC. A lot will be expected from him. His ability to hit the spinners out of the park is going to be really handy taking the conditions into consideration.

5) Eoin Morgan (C)

Morgan has brought about a revolution in England’s limited-overs sides. He has totally changed the way England perceive the shorter formats of the game. Thus, him leading this side is an absolute no-brainer.

The English LOI skipper has also been one of the most successful skippers in the shortest format of the game. He has played more than 107 T20Is and with that experience, any team would want him on their side. He has scored 2360 runs in these 107 games.

His batting average and strike rate in this format are 28.87 and 138.25 respectively. He has also scored as many as 14 T20I fifties. Despite his poor form of late, he is expected to get back his lost form and play like the old Morgan during the tournament.

6) Ben Stokes

The man, the star, the legend. Can any English playing XI even complete without the genius himself? Stokes is arguably one of the greatest players of this era. He is going to be one of England’s key players going into the tournament.

Batting, bowling, and fielding, he will do each and every role assigned to him with perfection. The English all-rounder is all set to play the role of a finisher this time around for his team. His team will be depending a lot on him this time as well.

The English superstar has scored 442 T20I runs in 34 games. His batting average and strike rate are 20.09 and 136.84 respectively. Stokes has also managed to pick 17 wickets in this format. His bowling average and strike rate are 37.74 and 25.79 respectively.

7) Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali has been one of the most underappreciated players in this format. However, of late, he has been superb in T20Is. His capabilities are finally being put to good use.

Considering the fact that the T20 WC is going to be held in the UAE, Moeen Ali might just prove to be the “X-Factor” for England. Not only can he hit the spinners with the bat but he can also come really handy with the ball. The English all-rounder can be used as a floater and can bat up the order when needed.

He has scored 437 T20I runs at an average and strike rate of 16.19 and 136.14 respectively. He has also picked 21 T20I wickets at an average and strike rate of 32.57 and 23.19 respectively. Thus, he is a unique asset in this format.

8) Chris Jordan

Arguably one of the best bowlers in the shortest format of the game, Jordan is tailor-made for T20Is. It is safe to call him a T20I specialist. The best part about Jordan is the fact that he is dependable in the death overs.

The Punjab Kings pacer has played 65 T20I games and has picked 73 wickets. He happens to be the most successful English pacer of all time as he has picked the most number of wickets for England in this format of the game. His bowling average and strike rate are 27.16 and 18.73 respectively.

He has an economy rate of 8.7. Considering the fact that he generally bowls at the death, 8.7 seems really good. The T20I veteran has been a regular feature of England’s T20I XI and a lot will depend on him if England are to win the T20 WC this time around.

9) Adil Rashid

In a team consisting of a lot of pacers, Adil Rashid has stood out more often than not. The leggie from England has been one of the greatest spinners in the shorter versions of the game for a really long time now. Whenever England are in dire need of wickets, Morgan has turned towards him.

The leggie has now become Morgan’s go-to man. He has a knack for picking wickets in the middle overs. One must not forget the fact that he is a handy batsman too and can hit the big shots occasionally.

He has picked 65 wickets in 59 T20I games. His bowling average and strike rate in the shortest format of the game are 24.29 and 19.48 respectively. His economy rate is 7.48, which is really good in this format.

10) Mark Wood

Mark Wood has been synonymous with pace. Over the last few years, the English speedster has become a regular feature in the XI. He is an absolute asset, to say the least.

He has barely put a foot wrong ever since he started playing T20Is regularly. The Durham pacer has played 17 T20Is and has picked 26 wickets. His bowling average and strike rate in this format are 20.96 and 14.65 respectively.

His economy rate in this format is 8.58, which is more than decent in today’s day and age. Not only can he bowl at the start but he can also bowl at the death. A lot will be expected from the express pacer in the upcoming T20 WC.

11) Saqib Mahmood

Saqib Mahmood isn’t necessarily the first name that comes to your mind when you think about England’s T20I side but he has justified his selection time and again. The English pacer has impressed one and all in a very short span of time. He merits a place in the XI.

He has played 8 T20I games and has picked 7 wickets. His bowling average and strike rate are 43.14 and 24.86 respectively. While his numbers might not be the best, his potential and ability give him the nod ahead of his competitors.

His ability to bowl at 90mph regularly is something any captain would love to have. The English pacer can also get the old ball to reverse. Thus, Mahmood looks all set to play his maiden ICC trophy.