England is contemplating the inclusion of leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed for their T20 World Cup Super 8s clash against New Zealand in Colombo. The team has already secured a place in the semi-finals but will assess the pitch conditions on Friday before finalizing their playing XI.
The match will take place on the same surface where New Zealand triumphed over Sri Lanka, a game that highlighted the significant role of spin bowling, with 10 out of 15 wickets falling to spinners. England is keen to explore all options given the expected pitch conditions, described by bowling coach Tim Southee as potentially “pretty scrappy.” He acknowledged that despite the spin-friendly environment, pace bowlers could still make their mark, as demonstrated by New Zealand’s Matt Henry in the previous match.
Rehan Ahmed, at just 21 years old, has been a consistent presence in England’s squads. However, he has not participated in a T20 match since last September and is yet to feature in a World Cup. Ahmed showcased his abilities in three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka last month, during which he also took turns as an opener.
If Ahmed is selected, it will likely be at the expense of a pace bowler, potentially Jamie Overton. New Zealand’s strategy of fielding only two pace bowlers in their latest victory reflects a trend towards spin-heavy attacks, as evidenced by the fact that 30 of the 40 overs bowled were delivered by spinners.
In addition to potentially employing Ahmed, England’s attack includes Jofra Archer and Sam Curran as their pace options, alongside spinners like Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, and Will Jacks. Jacob Bethell, who has not bowled in the tournament due to a cut on his finger, remains a wildcard in England’s strategy, with his fitness affecting the final team composition.
As England prepares for this crucial match, the decision will not only depend on pitch conditions but also on how they wish to balance their lineup between pace and spin, aiming for a strong performance against New Zealand.