London, December 30 (NationPress) Jofra Archer has been included in England's provisional squad for the T20 World Cup, despite having missed the final two Ashes Tests due to injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) unveiled the squad, led by Harry Brook, for the upcoming T20 tournament and the white-ball series against Sri Lanka.

England will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and an equal number of T20 Internationals in Sri Lanka as preparation for the T20 World Cup, which kicks off on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Although Archer is still recuperating from a side strain he incurred during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, he will not participate in the tour to Sri Lanka.

On a positive note, pace bowler Josh Tongue, who has yet to feature in a white-ball international for England, has earned a spot in the World Cup squad following his impressive Ashes performances.

Harry Brook will captain England at the T20 World Cup, accompanied by key players including Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, and Phil Salt, forming the backbone of the team for this prestigious event.

"The England Men’s selection panel has announced the squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which includes three ODIs and three IT20s, as well as a provisional squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March," stated the ECB.

“Nottinghamshire fast bowler Josh Tongue has made the T20 squad for the first time. Sussex’s Jofra Archer is part of the provisional T20 World Cup lineup but will be absent from the Sri Lanka tour as he continues rehabilitation with the England medical team following his left side strain from the third Ashes Test in Adelaide earlier this month. Durham seamer Brydon Carse is also included for the Sri Lanka tour.

“Surrey batting all-rounder Will Jacks returns to both squads after missing the New Zealand white-ball tour in October. Kent top-order batter Zak Crawley is back in the ODI squad for the first time since December 2023, hoping to increase his eight caps in this format.

"The tour is set to commence on January 18, 2026,” the statement concluded.

The ODI series in Sri Lanka will occur on January 22, 24, and 27 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, followed by T20Is at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy on January 30, February 1, and 3.

The T20 World Cup will commence on February 7 across venues in India and Sri Lanka, with the final scheduled for March 8.

England's T20 and ODI squads for the Sri Lanka tour and World Cup: Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer (World Cup only), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse (Sri Lanka tour only), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.

England's ODI squad for Sri Lanka: Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Luke Wood.