Wright laments ‘hardest decision’ after Harry Brook’s World Cup omission
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elector Luke Wright says leaving “superstar” Harry Brook out of England’s World Cup squad was “as hard a decision as you’re ever going to get”, after Ben Stokes’s return pressured the Yorkshireman’s shock omission.
Brook’s was the surprise name missing from a 15-man squad introduced on Wednesday for subsequent month’s One-Day International collection in opposition to New Zealand, with Wright confirming the identical occasion will go on to the autumn’s match in India, barring harm.
While a busy schedule has seen Brook restricted to only three ODI appearances within the yr since his worldwide breakout started, the 24-year-old is broadly thought of as probably the most thrilling younger batter within the nation, already a T20 World Cup winner and at the moment averaging 62 in Test cricket.
Stokes’s determination to return out of retirement for England’s World Cup defence has, nonetheless, created a squeeze on middle-order locations, with the Test captain chosen as a specialist batter because of the continual knee challenge that continues to limit his bowling.
Shock omission: Ben Stokes’ ODI retirement U-turn means no World Cup for Harry Brook
/ Getty ImagesDawid Malan’s excellent 50-over output and skill to cowl for openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow see him retained, as do Liam Livingstone’s all-round skills, leaving Brook as the person to overlook out.
“It’s as hard a decision as you’re ever going to get,” mentioned Wright, who additionally confirmed that Brook might but go to the match as considered one of three travelling reserves. “No doubt he’s someone we couldn’t think any more highly of.
“Everything’s going brilliantly with Brooky. There’s no denying what a superstar he is, and what a huge future he’s got with us in all forms. That’s the incredibly tough decision we’ve had to make.
“I’m sure he’s disappointed, and there’s no doubting he’s going to be part of it going forward. But unfortunately in a 15-man squad, someone’s going to have to miss out. On this occasion it’s been him, but it didn’t make it any easier.”
Uncapped Surrey bowler Gus Atkinson is the one wildcard inclusion in England’s squad, the fast benefitting from Jofra Archer’s probably absence as he continues to recuperate from a stress fracture of the elbow.
Head coach Matthew Mott had beforehand recommended that England would take a threat on Archer’s involvement within the hope that he could possibly be accessible by the point the World Cup reaches its latter phases in November.
However, Wright says England can not afford to hurry the 28-year-old again from the newest in a string of significant accidents, nor head into the match a bowler quick. Archer will as an alternative be named as a reserve, with the likelihood that he might are available in as an harm substitute if match and required.
“There has got to be a duty of care with Jof,” Wright added. “We know how desperate we all are to have him, there’s no doubt about that. But we’ve also got to get it right for him.
Wildcard pick: Luke Wright is excited over the potential of Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson
/ Getty Images for Surrey CCC“As much as the temptation is to try and rush him in and get him in for the start of this World Cup, unfortunately we’re just going to run out of time.”
Atkinson has loved an impressive summer time throughout codecs for Surrey and was clocked at 95mph throughout The Hundred final week, with Jos Buttler and Mott eager to have a second specific tempo possibility at their disposal alongside Mark Wood.
“He’s been someone that I’ve been quite a big fan of for quite a while,” former England worldwide Wright mentioned. “He roughed me up on a few occasions when I was still playing and marked my card. When I came into this role, he was definitely someone that I was keen on and he’s really kicked on this year.
“He’s gone from strength to strength and he does just add that extra pace that everyone’s always looking for. He’s a real asset for us and we’re delighted to give him an opportunity.”