England recall Mason Crane and rest Jofra Archer for the Pakistan ODI tri-series

England have named a 16-player squad for this month’s ODI tri-series in Pakistan, recalling leg-spinner Mason Crane eight years after his last international appearance and resting Jofra Archer

The England Men selectors announced the squad on Thursday for the three-team tournament against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which runs from 18 to 31 October across Rawalpindi and Lahore. Harry Brook continues as captain.

Jos Buttler misses the trip with the hamstring injury he sustained in the second Metro Bank ODI against Sri Lanka, and Archer has been left out to manage his workload after a busy summer.

Adil Rashid and Sam Curran both return from injury, while three players in the squad are uncapped in one-day internationals. The tournament is England’s next 50-over assignment before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

Crane recalled eight years on

Crane, now 29 and playing his cricket for Glamorgan, has never appeared in an ODI. His only England cap came in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney in 2018, and he added two T20I appearances in 2017 for a return of one wicket.

“Mason Crane has been performing consistently for Glamorgan across both formats during the summer,” said Marcus North, England Men’s National Selector. “He’s an experienced, high-class leg-spinner who thoroughly deserves another opportunity at international level.”

He is one of three uncapped one-day players in the party, and will compete with Rashid and Liam Dawson for a spin place on surfaces that have historically rewarded slow bowling.

Buttler out, Archer rested

Buttler walked off during the second ODI against Sri Lanka with a hamstring problem and has not recovered in time. Jordan Cox kept wicket in his absence and made 76 from 52 balls as England posted 355 in the series decider at The Oval.

Archer’s omission is a management decision rather than an injury. “Adil Rashid and Sam Curran return to the squad following their respective injuries while Jofra Archer has been rested to manage his workload following a busy summer,” North said.

Rashid had been ruled out of the Sri Lanka series by a hand injury; Curran returns from a groin problem.

Uncapped pair from Sussex

Sussex provide two of the newcomers. James Coles, a 22-year-old all-rounder, and Henry Crocombe, a 21-year-old seamer, were both part of England’s white-ball squads this summer without playing an ODI.

The rest of the squad is settled around Brook, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks and Tom Banton, with Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton and Sonny Baker the seam options.

The squad in full: Harry Brook (captain), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root and Josh Tongue.

Seven matches across two venues

The tournament opens on 18 October with Pakistan against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. England begin two days later against the hosts at the same ground, then meet Sri Lanka there on 22 October.

The competition then moves to Lahore, where England play Pakistan on 25 October and Sri Lanka on 29 October. Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet again on 27 October.

The two leading sides contest the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday 31 October.

Preparation for 2027

Brook took charge of a side that had just beaten Sri Lanka 2-1 at home, and the tri-series gives England a block of 50-over cricket in conditions far removed from an English September.

“The tri-series in Pakistan provides another valuable opportunity for our ODI squad to test themselves against quality opposition in different conditions,” North said.

With the next 50-over World Cup due in 2027, matches of this kind are among the few England have left to settle a first-choice one-day side.

England open their tri-series campaign against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on 20 October.

Catch the match live updates, highlights, and full match coverage on CricRadio. Get fast, accurate, and ad-free updates throughout the game. Download the CricRadio app from the Play Store to stay connected. You can also get the live scores of cricket series directly on the CricRadio website for real-time coverage.