Harry Brook finds himself in limbo ahead of the Cricket World Cup as England debate whether to take their three reserves on tour
Harry Brook is in limbo ahead of the Cricket World Cup as England debate whether to bring their three reserves on tour
- The International Cricket Council only funds 23 pitches per country
- This means that all further players or staff must be paid by each board
- England must now make a decision whether to bring their three reserve players
England have yet to decide whether to take their three reserves to this autumn’s World Cup title defense, potentially leaving Harry Brook grounded at home.
24-year-old Yorkshire batsman Brook is set to be one of three players nominated as a replacement in the event of illness and injury during the seven-week tournament, but as the International Cricket Council only limits 23 places each country, this means that additional staff would have to be financed by individual boards.
This is not only a cost issue for the ECB, but also a logistical one, with England playing their group matches in eight different cities in India and never in the same venue consecutively.
England already boasts one of the largest cricket entourages in the world, meaning the governing body is already faced with a choice between paying backroom staff to travel out of pocket or cutting back on the usual numbers.
Since receiving England captain Jos Buttler’s text message informing him he has not been included in the preliminary World Cup squad, Brook has revealed what the two-time world champion will miss out on with a 41-ball hundred for Northern Superchargers.
Harry Brook could be left behind as England have yet to decide whether to take three reserves to the World Cup, with the International Cricket Council funding just 23 places per country
Brook was pushed off the England squad after Test captain Ben Stokes (pictured) announced he would return to play in the 50-over competition
The tournament rules allow changes to be made to the squads before September 28 – four years ago Jofra Archer and Liam Dawson replaced David Willey and Joe Denly – but this is not thought to be something the England selectors currently thinking about it, as they have supported their rivals non-bowlingers Jason Roy and Dawid Malan.
Both players had hundreds of hits in each of England’s bilateral series in South Africa and Bangladesh earlier this year, though they’ve since lost their form: Roy has just one 30-plus score in eight innings for Hundred finalist Oval Invincibles, while Malan was dropped by Trent Rockets after four appearances yielded a best of 11.
On Brook Hundred’s statement, Buttler said: “It’s not like it’s a surprise: we know what a brilliant player he is, he’s just the unlucky one at the moment who isn’t in that squad.
“Of course the dynamic changes a bit when Ben Stokes comes back and is available as a hitter.
“Ben is a fantastic player to welcome back, so it was a very difficult selection.”
Brook (pictured) admitted he is ‘disappointed’ after his omission from the Cricket World Cup
Brook will have another chance to highlight his game-changing qualities in England’s four-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand, which kicks off in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday night.
However, Brook’s Ashes teammate Josh Tongue was ruled out with an injury on Saturday and will be replaced in the side by Chris Jordan, England’s record wicket taker in T20 internationals.
There will also be two familiar faces in the New Zealand camp in the coming weeks, with former England internationals Ian Bell and James Foster joining the coaching staff.
Northern Superchargers head coach Foster will also guide the New Zealanders to the World Cup.