Key expects ‘slugfest' as England's batting muscle ripples from top

Amidrising tide of Twenty20 run-rates, the defending champions have opted for more aggression in selection

- Ali Martin

England will travel to the Caribbean for their T20 World Cup defence in June without an anchor aboard ship, their team director, Rob Key, instead confident that six-hitting power is the best way to approach a possible "slugfest".

This much was clear from the 15-man provisional squad named by Key yesterday; one that must atone for last year's carbuncle of a 50-over World Cup campaign in India. It brings a return for Jofra Archer after his latest year-long injury ordeal, the best wishes of the nation very much behind him.

But overall it is clearly designed to outgun opponents amid the rising tide of run-rates in Twenty20 cricket this year.

There is no accumulator in the side per se; no classical batter whose default is to hold an innings together and personally build a crescendo. Instead, as widely trailed, muscle ripples from the top three of Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Will Jacks, through the middle order of Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook, before three all-rounders in Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali and Sam Curran. Ben Duckett, no slouch, is the spare man.

"There's no doubt the mentality of T20 has pivoted even more towards aggression," said Key. "All this stuff about going out there, having a look, trying to adapt ...