After Steve Smith, Joe Root’s T20 World Cup 2026 call-up staged

England, led by Harry Brook, suffered a 30-run defeat against the West Indies in their second Group C match during the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Former cricketer Sir Geoffrey Boycott lashed out at the selectors for leaving veteran batter Joe Root, their “best player of spin”, out of the World Cup squad.

England struggled to chase a challenging total against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, February 11. Chasing 197 runs, England were well placed at 74/1 in the seventh over. However, the Windies spinners changed the momentum, and England were bowled out for 166 in 19 overs.

Geoffrey Boycott Calls for Joe Root’s Inclusion in England’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad

Geoffrey Boycott criticized England’s selection choices for the T20 World Cup. He said that Joe Root excelled on slow, turning pitches and controlled the game while other batters played around him.

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"Our best @englandcricket batsman on spinning pitches @root66 is in England. Last year he batted & bowled superbly for Paarl Royals in SA T20. The pitch in Paarl is slow low & spins nobody could hit his bowling & he scored at over a run a ball, the other Batsmen played around him," Boycott wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Our best @englandcricket batsman on spinning pitches @root66 is in England. Last year he batted & bowled superbly for Paarl Royals in SA T20
The pitch in Paarl is slow low & spins nobody could hit his bowling & he scored at over a run a ball, the other
Batsmen played around him

— Sir Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) February 11, 2026

England’s Bazball Approach Exposed by West Indies Spinners

England’s Bazball approach failed against the West Indies spinners. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie turned the match in the West Indies’ favour with his bowling, finishing with match-winning figures of 3/32.

The English batters looked clueless against the turning ball. With pitches in the tournament expected to slow down further, England need an anchor who can rotate the strike without taking unnecessary risks.

England have a squad full of power-hitters like Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, and Phil Salt. However, with little margin for error in the tournament format, the 2022 T20 World Cup champions must perform better in the middle overs to keep their title hopes alive.

England Collapse Against Spin, Bowled Out for 166 in 19 Overs

England were bowled out for 166 in 19 overs despite getting solid starts. Sam Curran remained unbeaten on 43, but the batting line-up failed to build partnerships once the West Indies spinners took control.

Phil Salt gave England early momentum with 30 off 14 balls, including a 24-run over off Jason Holder. England raced to 67/1 in the powerplay, but the dismissal of Jos Buttler (21) triggered a collapse. Gudakesh Motie then removed Tom Banton and Jacob Bethell, reducing England to 93/4 at the halfway stage.

The pressure continued as Motie dismissed Harry Brook for 17, while Roston Chase trapped Will Jacks leg-before. England slipped to 135/6 after 15 overs and never recovered.

Earlier, West Indies recovered from 79/4 to post 196/6. Sherfane Rutherford scored an unbeaten 76 off 42 balls, smashing five sixes and two fours, while Holder added 33 off 17 deliveries. Adil Rashid bowled tightly with figures of 2/16.

Also read: Dale Steyn tears open Pakistan’s World Cup scars vs India