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England's Big Surprise For T20 WC 2024; Test Specialist With No T20 Career To Be In Squad

England team during the Vizag test England team during the Vizag test

With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, England's cricket strategists as per reports are eyeing  a surprise inclusion: Tom Hartley, a left-arm spinner who has yet to make his mark in international T20 cricket. 

The decision to consider Hartley, despite his lack of experience in the shortest format, reflects England's strategic planning for the spin-friendly pitches of the West Indies, where the tournament will unfold from June 1.

While Adil Rashid remains a key component of England's spin arsenal, Hartley's unique left-arm spin offers a distinct advantage, particularly on surfaces that historically favor spin bowlers. The 24-year-old's potential inclusion adds variety to England's spin attack, complementing Rashid's leg-spin prowess.

Though Hartley has not played T20 Internationals, his domestic record, coupled with the historical success of left-arm spinners in the West Indies, has bolstered his case for selection. His 82 T20 matches have yielded 68 wickets at a commendable average of 26.47, showcasing his reliability and effectiveness in the format.

Moreover, the English management's willingness to experiment with Hartley underscores their strategic adaptability, as they aim to exploit the spin-friendly conditions prevalent in venues like Antigua, St Lucia, and Barbados. These factors position Hartley as a viable option, potentially forming a formidable spin trio alongside Rashid and Rehan Ahmed.

While Hartley's selection may raise eyebrows due to his limited international exposure, his all-round abilities, demonstrated during the Test series against India, further enhance his candidacy. As England fine-tunes their squad for the T20 World Cup, Hartley's inclusion reflects a calculated gamble aimed at maximizing their chances of success on spin-friendly Caribbean pitches.