Injured Archer included in England T20 World Cup squad

Fast bowler Jofra Archer was included in England's provisional T20 World Cup squad Tuesday, despite suffering a left side strain that ruled him out of the final two Ashes Tests.

Fellow quick Josh Tongue has been called up to the T20 squad for the first time in a 15-man party to be captained by Harry Brook for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka beginning on February 7.

Archer will sit out the warm-up tour to Sri Lanka next month to continue his rehabilitation following the injury he sustained during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide earlier this month.

Brydon Carse will replace Archer in Sri Lanka for three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals beginning on January 22.

Zak Crawley returns to the ODI squad for the first time since December 2023.

England T20 squad for World Cup squad and Sri Lanka tour: Harry Brook (Capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood, Brydon Carse (Sri Lanka tour only)

England ODI squad for Sri Lanka tour: Harry Brook (Capt), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Luke Wood

Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell is keen to lock down the number three spot for England, but admitted Tuesday he has "a lot more to do" to make the position his own.

The 22-year-old was recalled for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne to replace the under-performing Ollie Pope and impressed.

He hit a gritty 40 in difficult batting conditions in the second innings to help steer England to a four-wicket victory and their first win in Australia since 2011.

Bethell is likely to get another opportunity in the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney starting Sunday.

"I like three," he told English media in Melbourne.

"You come in when the ball is new and in some scenarios the ball's going all over the shop.

"But in other scenarios it presents opportunities to score when bowlers are trying to take wickets and the field is attacking, there's loads of gaps.

"I've still got a lot more to do to call it my position," he added.

"I would like to (make the spot his own). I would like to just nail down any role in the team."

Bethell made his Test debut against New Zealand in Christchurch a year ago, crunching half-centuries in each of three Tests during the series after Pope slid down the order as wicketkeeper.

His progress was then hampered by an injury and Pope hitting form back at three.

While Bethell has no guarantee of retaining his place for an extended period, skipper Ben Stokes was full of praise after Melbourne.

"He got an unplayable delivery in the first innings," said Stokes, when Bethell nicked Michael Neser to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

"So then to go out there and play the way that he did there, I think shows a lot about his character and the confidence that he has within himself.

"So yes, something for Beth to be able to build on, definitely."