Jofra Archer has been named in the England squad that will play Sri Lanka in the first T20 on Friday after recovering from injury.
The 30-year-old fast bowler missed the last two Tests of England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat after suffering a side strain and was initially left out of the squad for the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka.
England had expected him to return for the T20 World Cup, which starts against Nepal on February 8, but Archer has since joined the Sri Lanka squad and will go straight into the team for the series opener in Kandy.
Archer joins Jamie Overton and Sam Curran as seam bowling options, with England once again leaning on a range of spin options.
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(AP photo/Eromina van Jayersa).
Duckett out with injury
Ben Duckett will miss the first T20 after suffering a bruised right index finger during the third ODI win in Colombo on Tuesday.
Duckett, who has not played a T20 for England since the series against the West Indies last summer, suffered the injury when he was caught in the deep.
Jos Buttler will open the batting on his record-equalling 401st appearance in an England shirt, while Tom Banton will bat at number four.
The England team takes on Sri Lanka in Kandy: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (captain), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
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