Harry Brook unlikely to take part in four-match ODI series with New Zealand but the England star is set to increase his caps tally against Ireland later in September
- Harry Brook’s omission from the initial World Cup squad has caused a clamour
- He played a key role in England’s recent two T20I wins over New Zealand
- The World Cup squad does not need to be finalised until after the Ireland series
Harry Brook is unlikely to be added to England’s squad for the four-match one-day series against New Zealand starting in Cardiff on Friday – but is set to increase his tally of three ODI caps against Ireland later in the month.
Brook’s inclusion in England’s 15-man World Cup squad, which doesn’t have to be finalised until September 28 – two days after the Ireland series ends – is all but inevitable after he played match-winning hands in the two T20 wins over the New Zealanders at Chester-le-Street and Old Trafford.
But the selectors, including white-ball coach Matthew Mott, who admitted that the ‘door was open’ to take Brook to India next month, feel a break before the three Ireland games will do him no harm towards the back end of a busy summer.
England require no further proof of his ability, despite his lack of ODI experience and a quiet end to the T20s against New Zealand.
They are also keen to quieten the noise – however temporarily – created by his absence from the provisional World Cup squad.
Harry Brook is set to miss out on the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand
The England batter played a starring role in the recently drawn four-match T20I series against the Black Caps
Speculation has been ramped up over Brook’s potential inclusion in the World Cup squad to go to India
Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick admitted after Sunday’s heavy defeat in the third T20 at Edgbaston that the speculation could be a distraction. Among those originally named in the World Cup 15, Dawid Malan and Liam Livingstone in particular have struggled.
Unlike those of his white-ball colleagues who have been picked in the 50-over matches against New Zealand, Brook returned home after England lost the fourth and final T20 in Nottingham last night, allowing the tourists to come from 2–0 down to square the series.
And while there is an outside chance he could take part in the second half of the New Zealand ODIs, the first game against Ireland on his home ground at Headingley on September 20 remains the likeliest date of his return.
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