Fast bowler Mark Wood is set to return to the field for England’s first T20 match against India in Kolkata this Wednesday. He hasn’t played since August when he faced Sri Lanka, dealing with a stress fracture in his elbow on top of a minor thigh injury.
Wood, now 35, will join Jofra Archer in England’s pace lineup. Ben Duckett, who last played T20s six years ago, will open the batting with Phil Salt. This series marks a fresh start for England under Brendon McCullum, who has successfully guided the Test team since 2022 and is now taking charge of the white-ball squad until 2027.
The T20 match is part of a five-game series against India, followed by three one-day internationals. It promises to be an exciting challenge as England looks to build momentum with McCullum’s leadership.
Here’s how the England team looks for the match: Salt (wk), Duckett, Buttler (c), Brook, Livingstone, Bethell, Overton, Atkinson, Archer, Rashid, and Wood. Notable absentees include Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, and Rehan Ahmed.
Duckett’s return to the opening role re-establishes the partnership seen during the ODI series against Australia in September. Salt will continue as wicketkeeper while captain Jos Buttler leads from the front.
Gus Atkinson will make his white-ball debut after a strong year in Test cricket, where he took 52 wickets in 11 matches. Jacob Bethell also retains his spot following impressive performances in the West Indies and New Zealand earlier in the year. Captain Buttler praised Bethell for his talent and growth in international cricket.
As England prepares for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next month, they are also eyeing the next T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. India, currently the T20 world champions, will be fielding a younger squad for this series, missing key player Jasprit Bumrah due to injury. This matchup will be crucial as both teams gear up for exciting tournaments ahead.
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Ben Duckett,Mark Wood,England,India,Jofra Archer,Brendon McCullum,England side,Phil Salt,England
