England's T20 World Cup Squad Excludes Livingstone and Cox Despite Strong Performances
England's T20 World Cup Selection Surprises Fans
New Delhi, December 30: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has revealed its provisional squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, leaving out two notable players: all-rounder Liam Livingstone and wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox, both of whom have showcased impressive performances in T20 cricket recently.
Livingstone's last appearance for England was during the ICC Champions Trophy, and since then, he has struggled to find his place in the team. His 2025 season was disappointing, as he managed only 162 runs across 11 innings, averaging a mere 14.62, while also taking five wickets at an average exceeding 54. In contrast, Cox has participated in three ODIs and six T20Is, accumulating 88 runs in four T20I innings, including a half-century and boasting a strike rate above 131.
After being omitted from the national squad, Livingstone had a lackluster stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he scored just 112 runs in eight innings, averaging 16.00 with only one fifty to his name.
However, following the IPL, Livingstone revitalized his career with commendable performances for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred and Lancashire in the Vitality Blast. He amassed 719 runs in 25 matches at an average of 37.84, achieving a strike rate over 160, including four fifties, and took 13 wickets with best figures of 2/11. Notably, he ranked as the seventh-highest run-scorer in The Hundred, scoring 241 runs in eight innings at an average of 40.16 and a strike rate exceeding 155.
In the Vitality Blast, he contributed 260 runs in seven innings at an impressive average of 52.00 and a strike rate over 176, including a fifty. Currently, in the International League T20 (ILT20), Livingstone's form has been inconsistent, with 218 runs in 10 innings at an average of 27.25 and a strike rate above 148, alongside two fifties.
On the other hand, Cox excelled as the leading run-scorer in The Hundred while playing for the champions, Oval Invincibles, where he scored 367 runs in nine matches at an average of 61.16 and a strike rate over 173, hitting three fifties and 22 sixes. Across 43 T20 matches this year, he has accumulated 1,277 runs at an average of 36.48, including a century and eight fifties, with a top score of 139*.
Currently competing in the ILT20 for Dubai Capitals, Cox ranks as the third-highest run-scorer, with 311 runs in 10 innings at an average of 38.87 and a strike rate close to 125, including two fifties. He was acquired by RCB for Rs 75 lakh during the IPL 2026 auction.
The England squad for the T20I World Cup 2026 includes: Harry Brook (captain), 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, and Luke Wood.