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LONDON: Harry Brook has been given a further chance to force his way into England’s World Cup squad after being called-up on Wednesday as batting cover ahead of the 50-over global champions’ ODI series against New Zealand.
Brook was controversially omitted when England announced their preliminary squad for the World Cup in India, which starts next month.
But he has now been added to England’s party ahead of a four-match ODI series against New Zealand — the team they beat in the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s — that gets underway in Cardiff on Friday.
The 24-year-old stroke-maker was also included on Wednesday in an unfamiliar looking squad for a three-match ODI campaign at home to Ireland later this month.
The series will represent the last chance for players to stake a World Cup claim.
Brook was initially edged out of World Cup contention by 2019 final star Ben Stokes’s decision to reverse his retirement from one-day internationals.
But a hundred for Northern Superchargers in his next innings in The Hundred, followed by contributions of 43 not out and 67 in T20 International wins against New Zealand reignited the debate about Brook’s World Cup place.
Dawid Malan appears to be the specialist batsman most likely to make way, although England could leave out all-rounder Liam Livingstone or drop a seam bowler to accommodate Brook.
Zak Crawley will lead England for the first time in the Ireland series, with his Test match opening partner Ben Duckett named as vice-captain of a 13-man squad for a series starting at Headingley on Sept 20.
Squad: Zak Crawley (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett (vice-captain), Sam Hain, Will Jacks, Craig Overton, Matthew Potts, Phil Salt, George Scrimshaw, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood.