Jofra Archer is the surprise inclusion in England\u2019s team for their Twenty20 series opener against Sri Lanka on Friday, having initially been excluded from the touring squad.<\/p>\n
The fast bowler was not named in the two white-ball groups to tour Sri Lanka after sustaining a side strain during the Ashes but was picked for the T20 World Cup<\/a>, which begins a week on Saturday.<\/p>\n Having joined the England squad in Colombo during the one-day international series to continue his preparations, Archer took part in training on Thursday night in Pallekele and is fit to play after making \u201ca full recovery\u201d, said the England and Wales Cricket<\/a> Board.<\/p>\n It is a major boost for Harry Brook\u2019s side and means Archer will get some valuable match practice before their World Cup opener against Nepal in Mumbai on 8 February. Only Adil Rashid has taken more wickets than the 30-year-old for England\u2019s T20 side in the past two years.<\/p>\n Ben Duckett is missing from the XI to play in Pallekele, not considered for selection after hurting his right index finger while fielding in England\u2019s ODI series-winning victory on Tuesday<\/a>. Tom Banton will bat at four in his first appearance of the tour, with Jacob Bethell at three.<\/p>\n Phil Salt, not part of the 50-over setup, will resume his T20 opening partnership with Jos Buttler. Speaking before the news of Archer\u2019s inclusion, Salt claimed that India are \u201cfar and away the strongest team\u201d at the upcoming World Cup.<\/p>\n Such a ringing endorsement for the defending champions should probably be expected. India have lost only one T20 series since their semi-final defeat by England<\/a> at the 2022 World Cup, and victory at the 2024 edition<\/a> has not slowed them down, with only six losses in their past 40 matches.<\/p>\n Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have departed but Abhishek Sharma, the left-hander who punished England with a 37-ball century in Mumbai last year, has filled the space in electric style, topping the International Cricket Council\u2019s T20 batting rankings.<\/p>\n Phil Salt will resume his opening partnership with Jos Buttler in the first T20 international against Sri Lanka. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cI think the [Indian Premier League] is probably a massive part of it,\u201d said Salt. \u201cThey obviously had their turning of the corner after we beat them in Adelaide in the 2022 World Cup, probably a combination of all those things.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re so dangerous with so much strength and depth. You need your luck at the right time in tournament cricket \u2013 everyone\u2019s going to need a bit to beat them.\u201d<\/p>\n