ICC World Cup 2023: Michael Atherton Opens Up On Harry Brook's Exclusion From England's WC Squad, Says He Is "Unlucky One"

Former England skipper Michael Atherton opened up on Harry Brook’s exclusion from England’s squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 and said that the reason behind his non-selection is the return of Ben Stokes following his U-turn on the ODI retirement.

Ben Stokes, England Test captain who retired from ODI cricket, had to take back his retirement to be included in the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup. It is being said that the England team management requested the player to come back to the ODI squad and help the reigning champions in the tournament.

While speaking to Sky Sports, Atherton questioned how can a young talent like Harry Brook be dropped from the squad. The former skipper also blamed Ben Stokes for the exclusion of the 24-year-old from the squad.

“Harry Brook is the unlucky one, That will be the bone of contention I think for many people looking at the squad – how a terrific young player like Brook cannot get in there. It really is a consequence of the Stokes selection and the fact he has come out of retirement. Then, how do you get him in? They want Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow,” Michael Atherton said.

It is Brook who has given way: Michael Atherton on Harry Brook

The former England skipper said that the team management has retained their faith in Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow at the top order and have other reserve players for which Harry Brook has to be dropped.

“They have retained faith with Roy and Bairstow at the top of the order, Dawid Malan is cover for the top order there, Liam Livingstone provides cover for Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali in the spin department, so in the end, it is Brook who has given way,” Michael Atherton added.

Atherton feels that the selectors can’t fit him into the squad even if they want it.

“If you said to the selectors ‘do you want Brook in your team?’ they would say yes, but they just do not feel as though they can fit him in,” the former England skipper concluded.

England will begin their tournament against New Zealand on October 5th at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.