ICC World Cup 2023: Harry Brook Could Still Make It To England's World Cup Squad, Hints Jos Buttler

England captain Jos Buttler has suggested that the doors are still not closed on Harry Brook for a place in the World Cup squad. Earlier this month, England sprung a huge surprise by leaving out the batsman from their provisional squad for the marquee event.

Harry Brook faced the axe due to the return of veteran allrounder Ben Stokes. The England Test captain, who had announced his retirement from ODIs in July last year, made himself available for the upcoming World Cup. Stokes was selected in the squad as a specialist batsman and Harry Brook was the unfortunate player who had to make way.

The decision did raise a number of eyebrows with former England captain Kevin Pietersen leading the criticism. The England great expressed his utter shock over the selection decision and stated that he was “flabbergasted” by the call. Well, the calls to include Harry Brook in the England squad for the World Cup have only increased after the batter’s stunning century in The Hundred.

Jos Buttler on Harry Brook’s place in England’s World Cup squad:

Harry Br0ok sent a timely message to the England selectors by smashing the fastest-ever century in the Hundred earlier this week. The right-handed batsman walked out to bat when his side Northern Supercharges were reeling at 10 for 3 after 20 balls. He went on to smash 105 runs off just 42 balls.

And Jos Buttler has now hinted that Harry Brook could still make it to the England World Cup squad. The England captain, however, admitted that Stokes’ inclusion as a specialist batter has changed the dynamic for selection.

Speaking ahead of Manchester Originals’ men’s eliminator against Southern Brave, Buttler said: “There’s still a long time before everyone’s meant to get on the plane so we’ll wait and see what happens. We all know Harry’s a fantastic player and we saw what he can do the other night, it’s not like it’s a surprise, we know what a brilliant player he is.

“He’s just the unfortunate one at the moment to not be in that squad. Ben Stokes coming back and being available just as a batter changes the dynamic a little bit. Ben’s a fantastic player to be able to welcome back. It’s a really tough selection, there have been players performing really well over a period of time and that’s where we are at the minute,” he added.

Meanwhile, Harry Brook is a part of England’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. A good show against the Black Caps will further strengthen his case for a spot in the World Cup squad.