The England T20I squad operates with a clear philosophy that prioritizes technique, character, and the ability to handle short-pitched bowling at the international level. National selector Luke Wright emphasizes looking for players who possess a good enough technique to defend, but can also “put the pressure back on and hit the ball at the top of the bounce”. Character is deemed crucial, as talent alone “gets you so far but we have all seen lots of talented players get to the international level and crumble”. The selection process considers both domestic county cricket statistics, as exemplified by Essex seamer Sam Cook, and “gut feel” for raw talent like Jacob Bethell, Shoaib Bashir, and Josh Hull, particularly when there is a lack of options in certain areas, such as spin.
While the aggressive, entertaining, and sometimes “reckless” style of play is often referred to by the media as “Bazball” (a term the team dislikes), the core message to players is to “play your best game” and “be the best version of yourself”. The team aims for a balanced and dynamic squad through a blend of experienced players and emerging talent. Their strategy includes thorough preparation via targeted international tours, developing white-ball specific skills like aggressive batting, versatile bowling options, sharp fielding, power hitting, and effective death-over bowling. Data analytics and performance analysis are also used to optimize player selection and in-game decisions.
| PLAYER NAME | ROLE | STYLE | JERSEY NO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Brook (Captain) | Batter | Batting: Left-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Medium | 88 |
| Moeen Ali | Batter | Batting: Left-hand bat Bowling: Right-arm off-break | 18 |
| Harry Brook | Batter | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Medium | 88 |
| Jos Buttler | Wicketkeeper | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: – | 63 |
| Sam Curran | Allrounder | Batting: Left-hand bat Bowling: Left arm Medium fast | 58 |
| Ben Duckett | Wicketkeeper | Batting: Left-hand bat Bowling: Right-arm off-break | 17 |
| Will Jacks | Batter | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right-arm off-break | 9 |
| Chris Jordan | Bowler | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | 34 |
| Liam Livingstone | Batter | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Offbreak, Legbreak | 23 |
| Reece Topley | Bowler | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Left arm Fast medium | 38 |
| Mark Wood | Bowler | Batting: Right-handed Bowling: Right-arm fast | 33 |
| Phill Salt | Wicket-keeper-batter | Batting: Right-handed Bowling: Right-arm off spin | 61 |
| Adil Rashid | Bowler | Batting: Right-arm leg break Bowling: Right-handed | 95 |
| Tom Hartley | Bowler | Batting: Left-Handed Bowling: Slow Left arm Orthodox | 79 |
| Jonathan Bairstow | Wicketkeeper Batter | Batting: Right-Hand Bat Bowling: Right Hand Bat | 51 |
| Jofra Archer | Bowler | Batting: Right-hand Bowling: Fast bowling | 22 |
| Jonny Bairstow | Wicketkeeper | Batting: Right Hand Bat Bowling: Right-Hand Bat | 51 |
| Phil Salt | Batter | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm off-break | 61 |
| Dawid Malan | Batter | Batting: Left-handed | 29 |
| Chris Woakes | Allrounder | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | 19 |
| Luke Wood | Bowler | Batting: Left-handed Bowling: Left-arm fast-medium | 77 |
| Mark Wood | Allrounder | Batting: Right hand Bat Bowling: Right arm Fast | 33 |
| Gus Atkinson | Bowler | Batting: Right-Handed Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | 95 |
| Rehan Ahmed | Allrounder | Batting: Right-handed Bowling: Right-arm leg break | 53 |
| Tymal Mills | Bowler | Batting: Right-handed Bowling: Left-arm fast | 72 |
| Brydon Carse | Allrounder | Batting: Right Handed Bowling: Right Arm Medium | – |
| Liam Dawson | Allrounder | Batting: Right hand Bat Bowling: Slow Left arm Orthodox | 83 |
| Matthew Potts | Bowler | Batting: Right hand Bat Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | – |
| Jamie Smith | Batter | Batting: Right hand Bat | – |
| Jacob Bethell | Batter | Batting: Left hand Bat Bowling: Slow Left arm Orthodox | – |
| Tom Banton | Batter | Batting: Right hand Bat | 7 |
| Dan Mousley | Batter | Batting: Left hand Bat Bowling: Right arm Offbreak | – |
| Saqib Mahmood | Bowler | Batting: Right hand Bat Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | – |
| Jamie Overton | Bowler | Batting: Right hand Bat Bowling: Right arm Fast | – |
| Jordan Cox | Wicketkeeper Batter | Batting: Right hand Bat | – |
| John Turner | Bowler | Batting: Right hand Bat Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | – |
About England T20I Squad
Captain – Harry Brook
Head Coach – Brendon McCullum
Assistant Coach – Marcus Trescothick, Paul Collingwood, Jeetan Patel
History and Key Events
England’s Test cricket selection has been notably successful since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took on roles as head coach and captain in 2022, respectively, with Luke Wright joining the player-picking panel as national selector in November 2022. While the immediate context of “Bazball” is primarily Test cricket, its underlying philosophy influences the broader approach to aggressive play.
Records and Achievements
• ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Victory: England were the champions of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022, a team that included Harry Brook.
• Captaincy Change (2025): In April 2025, Harry Brook was named the new England men’s T20 and one-day international captain, succeeding Jos Buttler, who resigned after a disappointing Champions Trophy performance. Brook, previously vice-captain in both white-ball formats, brings an “excellent cricketing brain and a clear vision” to the role. His first series as captain was a home series against West Indies in May.
• England Tour of Ireland 2025: Ireland will host England for a three-match T20 International series in Malahide, Dublin, from September 17-21, 2025. This marks the first-ever T20I series between the two nations and their inaugural T20I meeting on Irish soil. For this specific series, Jacob Bethell is set to captain the England squad, making him the youngest ever men’s captain for England in T20Is.
• Previous Encounters with Ireland: England and Ireland have only played each other twice in the T20I format, both times at ICC T20 World Cup tournaments. The first match in 2010 resulted in a No Result, and Ireland won the second encounter by 5 runs (DLS method) at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Melbourne.
• Recent Series Performance: Prior to the Ireland tour, England was in “high spirits” after a T20I series against South Africa where they “smashed past the 300-run mark for the first time in the format”, driven by a strong performance from Phil Salt.
• Upcoming Preparation: England has planned a significant white-ball tour to Sri Lanka in early 2026, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is, to acclimate to conditions expected at the co-hosted 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
• Squad Changes: Scott Currie was called up to the England squad for the Ireland series as an injury replacement for fast bowler Saqib Mahmood, who required minor knee surgery. Matthew Potts was also released from the Ireland IT20 squad to play in the County Championship.
Records and Achievements
• ICC T20 World Cup Champions (2022): England secured the ICC T20 World Cup title in 2022.
• Highest Team Total: The team “smashed past the 300-run mark for the first time in the T20I format” during a series against South Africa, showcasing their aggressive batting prowess.
Famous Players
• Harry Brook (Yorkshire) – Appointed new T20 and ODI captain in April 2025, taking over from Jos Buttler. He is a key batter and was part of the 2022 T20 World Cup winning team.
Squad for England Tour of Ireland 2025:
• Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire) – Captain for the Ireland series, set to be England’s youngest ever men’s captain.
• Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
• Sonny Baker (Hampshire) – Identified as a match-winner.
• Tom Banton (Somerset)
• Jos Buttler (Lancashire) – Former T20I captain, identified as a match-winner.
• Jordan Cox (Essex) – Player of the tournament in the 2025 Men’s Hundred.
• Scott Currie (Hampshire) – Called up as injury replacement for Saqib Mahmood.
• Liam Dawson (Hampshire) – Identified as a match-winner.
• Tom Hartley (Lancashire)
• Will Jacks (Surrey) – Identified as a match-winner, expected to secure a top-3 spot.
• Jamie Overton (Surrey)
• Adil Rashid (Yorkshire) – Key spinner and identified as a match-winner.
• Phil Salt (Lancashire) – Identified as a match-winner and known for blistering performances, including an IT20 century against South Africa.
• Luke Wood (Lancashire)
FAQs
Harry Brook was appointed as the new England men’s T20 and one-day international captain in April 2025, succeeding Jos Buttler.
Brendon McCullum is the head coach. His assistant coaches include Marcus Trescothick, Paul Collingwood, and Jeetan Patel.
Jacob Bethell is captaining the England squad for the three-match T20I series against Ireland. This makes him the youngest-ever men’s captain for England in T20Is.
Team Achievements and Records
England were the champions of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022.
The team “smashed past the 300-run mark for the first time in the T20I format” during a recent series against South Africa.
Squad and Players
Yes, Scott Currie was called up as an injury replacement for fast bowler Saqib Mahmood, who required minor knee surgery. Matthew Potts was also released from the squad.
The squad for the Ireland series includes players like Jacob Bethell (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jos Buttler, Jordan Cox, and Phil Salt.
Series and History
England and Ireland have only played each other twice in the T20I format. The first match in 2010 was a “No Result,” and Ireland won the second encounter by 5 runs (DLS method) at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.
The white-ball tour to Sri Lanka is planned to help the team acclimate to the conditions expected at the co-hosted 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

