World Twenty20 team preview: England

Everyone is predicting an England crash-and-burn, without Kevin Pietersen's batting power to save them. They have a tough group, and recent form suggests they'll be miserable, but you never know
<b>Captain:</b> Stuart Broad<br><b>Coach:</b> Ashley Giles<br><b>WT20 Best:</b> Champions, 2010
<b>Overview</b><br>England have not had a fun run up to the tournament by any stretch of the imagination. They lost Kevin Pietersen to forced retirement after he won the event for them in 2010, Stuart Broad's been injured and Joe Root was ruled out with a broken thumb – hence some pretty topsy-turvy <a href='http://www.paddypower.com/bet/cricket/icc-world-twenty-20' target='_blank' class='instorylink'><b>online cricket betting odds</b></a> for the former champions.
Added to that, all-rounder Ben Stokes has lost all the form he showed in Australia, while the top order generally failed to fire in the West Indies as they lost the T20 series with the same squad they'll have in Bangladesh.
It's an inexperienced side, with newcomers like Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan expected to slot right into the international fold and perform on cue, while Ian Bell has been brought in after more than three years out of the format. 'Hopeful' is an optimistic assessment.
<b>Key Batsman</b><br>Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler seems to be the one name on the batting list that could conceivably win a game on his own, even though he comes off in one out of three matches. The other two knocks tend to be ducks. But the other options are limited, and he can hit the ball miles, and do so under pressure.
<b>Key Bowler</b><br>Before his injury, we'd have said Root, actually. His dependable spin would have been valuable on the tracks in question. Now, we'll have to go with the experience of paceman skipper Stuart Broad. He has a very good T20 average of just over 22 and is deadly when on a roll.
<b>Likely Benchwarmer</b><br>Probably one of the new guys, though Stephen Parry's leg spin might give him a spot ahead of paceman Chris Jordan. The former Barbados quick did well in the final T20 in his home country through, so it's a toss up.
<b>Cricket365's Prediction</b><br>Everyone is predicting an England crash-and-burn, without Kevin Pietersen's batting power to save them. They have a tough group, and recent form suggests they'll be miserable, but you never know. Doubt they'll make the semis, provided they justify <a href='http://www.paddypower.com/bet?action=go_type&category=SPORTS&disp_cat_id=&ev_class_id=31&ev_type_id=23309' target='_blank' class='instorylink'><b>6/5 odds</b></a> in the warm-up fixtures.
<b>They Said:</b> "I think maybe I've just matured a bit. I went back to basics, did the right things and thankfully I've been rewarded with the England Lions and now the England call-up. This is the best I've ever batted. I feel like I've grown up as a cricketer and I know my game much better now. I'm ready to play. Wherever I slot in I will be happy if selected and I can offer something with the ball and bat and in the field so I am happy to slot in wherever." – all-rounder <b>Moeen Ali</b>.
<b>Squad:</b> Stuart Broad, Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Michael Lumb, Stephen Parry, Ian Bell, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell, Luke Wright.
<b>Fixtures</b><br>22 March: v New Zealand, Chittagong<br>27 March: v Sri Lanka, Chittagong<br>29 March: v South Africa, Chittagong<br>31 March: v qualifying team, Chittagong
Latest
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day Three: Joe Root at the double but Sri Lanka show grit
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
News
Jack Leach admits there is room for improvement as Sri Lanka frustrate England
Leach and Sam Curran struck for the tourists in the hosts’ second innings.
-
News
Joe Root’s double century keeps England in command despite rally from Sri Lanka
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
News
England captain Joe Root reaches fine double century before Sri Lanka fight back
Root was the last man out for England after scoring 228 to record a fourth double ton for his country.
-
News
Captain Joe Root completes fine double century as England build formidable lead
Root became only the fifth England player to score a Test double hundred in Asia.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 2: Joe Root excels alongside Dan Lawrence
The England captain and his new team-mate added 173 to build England’s advantage.
-
News
Nine rookies in Pakistan squad for South Africa series
Pakistan have included nine uncapped players in their 20-man squad for the two-Tests against South Africa, starting on January 26.
-
News
Labuschagne upset after not scoring ‘big’ hundred
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne might have been the star of the show on the first day of the fourth Test against India.
-
News
Joe Root backs up plea for strong England start with century against Sri Lanka
The skipper had urged his team to impress from the word go and led by example with 168 not out in Galle.
-
News
Joe Root century strengthens England’s grip on first Test against Sri Lanka
Dan Lawrence hits 73 on debut as England reach 320 for four at tea, a lead of 185.