Can holders England break the T20 World Cup defence jinx?

India, Pakistan, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Australia and England

Six different winners have emerged across eight editions of the T20 World Cup. But one thing has remained constant: the defending champions have been hit with a curse. 

No one till date has managed to defend their T20 World Cup title. The Champions curse has been a thing; can England make it a thing of the past? 

Since lifting that title, England have mixed and matched their squads to the extent that they go into the tournament as one of the most settled units. The addition of Phil Salt and Will Jacks has only strengthened them further. 

When it comes to their bowling unit, there are two speedsters - Jofra Archer and Mark Wood - waiting for their opportunity to feast on the opposition. And if they don’t get you, England have one of the world’s best spinners, Adil Rashid, who has picked up 110 T20I wickets alongside Liam Livingstone, who can turn the ball both ways. 

The variety in the bowling attack is quite threatening. While it is a completely different format, the Three Lions hope that the memories of India 2023 don’t return to haunt them in a title defence. 

What can win them the trophy?

Dynamic top-order batter

While England’s top four is certainly one-dimensional in terms of handedness, they have almost complete skill sets, making it cohesive. Let’s start with the biggest addition: Phil Salt. 

Since December 2022, Salt has scored 1984 runs in T20s, with a strike rate of 166.2 and an innate ability to throw spanners in the work of the pacers - avg of 31.38 and SR of 171.36. But that doesn’t mean he can’t attack spin, with a first 10-ball strike rate of 175.2 against spin. 

Meanwhile, Jos Buttler has quite a big advantage against spin, with an average of 33 and SR of 144.88, which complement each other. While Buttler has moulded his game to a more circumspect fashion, he is a proven match-winner and one of the best white-ball batters in the world. 

If the openers don’t get you, there is always Will Jacks, who has enjoyed tremendous success over the last year-and-a-half, with a strike rate of 166.08. He often gets underway quickly, with a first 10-ball strike rate of 166.1, only behind Pooran and Marsh in T20Is. That’s where England boasts quite an aggressive batting top four. 

Even if Jacks fails, there is always the experience of Jonny Bairstow. There’s no denying that Bairstow has blown hot and cold, but even then, a record chase is just around the corner when he is on song. 

What can eliminate them?

Lower-order batting

Harry Brook, Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone. 

It is a lower order that doesn’t inspire too much confidence. If anything, that is England’s slightest weakness heading into the competition. While the Three Lions haven’t played too many T20Is, they have quite a shaky lower order (5-7) post the 2022 T20 World Cup. Their lower order has a run rate of 7.5 and an average of 16.6 (the lowest).

They don’t even find boundaries easily. Brook has only played seven T20Is but averages 17. Then there is Livingstone, who looked out of shape against spin since IPL 2023, with a SR of 93.5 across 14 innings. Interestingly enough, spin can tie down this entire lower order, with even Moeen only striking at 115.4 against spin, averaging 11. 

That’s where England potentially can get eliminated, say when they are 30/3 in a crucial encounter. 

Things to watch out for

- Jofra Archer’s fitness levels

- Jonny Bairstow’s form

- Can England possibly fit in Tom Hartley?

Tactical MVP

Liam Livingstone

Despite such an underwhelming return, there’s really no replacement for Liam Livingstone in England. He’s such a diverse player, especially in skillset, where he takes on bowling units in a jiffy, especially at the death, where he strikes at 203.6 in T20s since 2023. It is one of the phases where England really doesn’t have much option.

Now, add his bowling into the mix, a rare breed of bowlers who can bowl both off-spin and leg-spin without much jitters; there’s why Livingstone can’t be replaced. While his form might certainly be a worry, England must unlock the best of him during the competition. 

Probable first-choice XI

If the Pakistan series was any indication, then Sam Curran’s place in England’s first-choice XI might be under big threat. Chris Jordan has not only made a comeback but also has a strong showing behind him, forcing the selectors to pick him. 

With Jofra Archer and Mark Wood back to full fitness, expect England to use both in the upcoming World Cup. Add the variety of Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, and Adil Rashid, and England’s team is pretty settled. However, with the surfaces in the Caribbean aiding left-arm spinners, there is a case to look at Tom Hartley. 

Probable XI: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt (wk), Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer / Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley

Group Games schedule

England vs Scotland, June 4, Barbados

England vs Australia, June 8, Barbados

England vs Oman, June 14, Antigua and Barbuda

England vs Namibia, June 15, Antigua and Barbuda

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