Livingstone, Roy and the pace of Mark Wood: Five England players to watch ahead of the T20 series against India

England start their five-match T20 series against India on Friday and here are the players to watch.

We know that Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan and Adil Rashid will show their class, but here are some players that deserve the plaudits ahead of England’s white-ball tour of India…

Liam Livingstone 

Livingstone’s recall is one that has been coming. His form in the Big Bash with bat and ball means that the Lancashire power-hitting batsmen could play a vital role in balancing Eoin Morgan’s T20 side. 

Sure enough, its been a while since Livingstone played an international; two apprehensive knocks in the T20Is against South Africa back in 2017 were hardly the ideal way to announce yourself on the international set-up. 

However, a lot changes in three years. This Liam Livingstone is a completely different. He admits he has become more “mature” in the last three years and as a result of performances across domestic and franchise cricket – for the Rajasthan Royals and Brisbane Heat – he throughly deserves his call-up. With a World Cup in India, Livingstone’s batting and spin will surely be given a chance in a few if not most of the five T20Is.

Mark Wood

Pace. Lots of it.

Wood will be vital as a wicket taking option in the middle overs and will likely also be involved with the new-ball up top.

There is no way Mark Wood will play all five T20s and England are likely to rotate in the likes of Tom Curran and Reece Topley.

However, the Durham paceman will be vital going forwards and it will be interesting to see how much pace he can generate out of some “spin-friendly” surfaces. There is no question that when Morgan needs a wicket in the middle-overs he’ll probably chuck the ball to Wood.

Jason Roy

This guy is class; he also has his hair cut in the same barbers as me which is neither relevant or important. 

What is important, however, is Jason Roy’s form, which we can all agree isn’t where it should be. 

Roy has played little cricket and the fact he missed out on an IPL contract is of huge concern for England with a World Cup in India later this year. 

Whilst he did well in the Big Bash, it is the five T20 which present a massive chance for Roy to put any talk about his position to bed. We know he has the quality, he just has to show it in the next month – as England have far too many options waiting in the wings to carry an out-of-form opener. 

Will he come good? Yes, 100%. 

? ? ? @JasonRoy20 pic.twitter.com/WHwO12yeUv

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 10, 2021

Moeen Ali

Without question Moeen Ali is one of the most important players for England going into the T20 World Cup. His ability with both bat and ball is unrivalled to those in the England squad. 

After being rested for the last two tests, and a having far-from ideal stay in Sri Lanka, Moeen will be looking to dominate in the five T20Is.

Undoubtedly, he is one of the most underrated players in the England line-up. Lets not forget the Chennai Super Kings paid just short of £700,000 for the talented all-rounder and – before heading home – he smashed 43 of 18 and finished as highest run scorer and wicket taker.

Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup, it could be argued he is the most important player to Morgan’s side. If he performs with bat and ball England could not only win the upcoming series but challenge the worlds best later this year.

Sam Curran 

The Surrey youngster has become a feature of the England T20 side over the last year. His ability to swing the new ball, as well as some lower-order – and when giving the chance top-order – power-hitting will be vital to England. 

The question is how England get him into the team and if he would be wasted as low as No.8 –  he has been used higher up the order for the Chennai Super Kings. 

With Curran rested for the majority of the Winter Tests, he is likely play a big role in this series. Swinging the new-ball, and smashing spinners out of the attack. With Curran it is either 0 (2) or 19 (5) – embrace it. 

England start the first of a five-match T20I series on Friday in Ahmedabad 

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