Cricket World Cup: England’s possible team for 2027

England's decision to stick with proven ODI performers for the 2023 World Cup has backfired and a fresh start will be required at the 2027 tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

There were 10 players aged 32 or older in England's 15-man squad for their disappointing title defence in India and the likes of Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes are unlikely to be available in four years' time.

David Willey has already announced his intention to retire from international cricket at the end of the 2023 World Cup so here is or vision for the England team who could line up in 2027:

1: Will Jacks

A hard-hitting batsman and useful off-spinner, Will Jacks has already featured for England in all three formats and will be hoping to establish himself at international level over the next four years.

The 24-year-old Surrey star cracked 94 off 88 deliveries opening the batting against Ireland in September's ODI at Trent Bridge and is one of England's most exciting white-ball prospects.

2: Phil Salt

Lancashire's Phil Salt, a member of England's 2022 T20 World Cup-winning side, is at the front of the queue to succeed Bairstow and Malan at the top of the order in ODIs.

The dynamic right-hander has starred in T20 franchise leagues around the world, is a competent wicketkeeping option, and smashed 61 from just 28 balls in his last one-day innings against Ireland in Bristol.

3: Zak Crawley

England's Test opener captained the ODI side in September's series against Ireland, when the World Cup players were rested, and he has scored a couple of half-centuries in his first five 50-over international appearances.

Crawley's dashing strokeplay has been a feature of England's recent success in Test cricket, most notably during a brilliant Ashes innings of 189 off 182 balls at Old Trafford in July, and the 25-year-old could develop into a key part of the one-day team.

4: Ben Duckett

Crawley's Test opening partner Ben Duckett will also be keen on nailing down a place in the ODI team and, like Salt, he combines explosive batting with the ability to keep wicket.

The left-hander scored his first ODI century, off just 72 balls, against Ireland in Bristol at the end of the 2023 English summer and averages just under 40 in List A cricket.

5: Harry Brook

Jos Buttler, Joe Root and Liam Livingstone will be 37, 36 and 34 by the time of the next World Cup so could still be involved, but England's middle-order will surely be built around Harry Brook.

The 24-year-old was preferred to Jason Roy in the 2023 World Cup squad and has made a blistering start to his international career, averaging 62 after 12 Test matches and scoring at a strike-rate of 141 runs per 100 balls in T20 internationals.

He made 80 against South Africa in only his second ODI in January and top-scored with 66 in England's World Cup defeat to Afghanistan.

6: Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)

The classy Sam Hain, who has a List A career average of 58, should be in the mix for a middle-order spot but Surrey wicketkeeper Jamie Smith is an exciting option at number six.

The 23-year-old has impressed at county level, for the England Lions and in The Hundred before making his ODI debut against Ireland in September.

7: Sam Curran

Another member of England's 2023 squad who should make the cut in four years' time is all-rounder Sam Curran, already a vastly experienced international player at the age of just 25.

Curran is hoping to add to his tally of 24 Test caps and maintain his high standards in limited-overs cricket, where his left-arm pace bowling and batting talent make him a valuable asset.

8: Rehan Ahmed

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid has been a wonderful white-ball player for England over the years and 19-year-old Rehan Ahmed looks a ready-made replacement.

Rehan, the youngest man to represent England in Test cricket, took 4-54 against Ireland at Trent Bridge in only his second ODI outing and is an exciting lower-order batsman who will still be only 23 when the next World Cup starts.

9: Brydon Carse

Durham fast bowler Brydon Carse was called up to the 2023 World Cup squad after Reece Topley's injury and he should get more opportunities as the older generation of England pacemen wind down their international careers.

Joe Root has compared the Cape Town-born Carse to 2019 World Cup winner Liam Plunkett and he caught the eye with a five-wicket haul against Pakistan at Edgbaston in July 2021.

10: Jofra Archer

There is an element of wishful thinking about including Jofra Archer, one of England's 2019 World Cup heroes, on the teamsheet for 2027 given his terrible run of injuries over the past four years.

Archer, who took 6-40 against South Africa in an ODI at the start of February, will be 32 when the next 50-over World Cup begins and England fans would love to see the brilliant paceman fit and firing again.

11: Reece Topley

Like Archer, Reece Topley's career has been hampered by injuries, the latest of which saw him ruled out of the 2023 World Cup after taking eight wickets in England's three matches.

The tall left-armer has shown his wicket-taking ability at the highest level, most spectacularly when claiming 6-24 against India at Lord's in 2022, although Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Saqib Mahmood and Hampshire youngster John Turner could also be pushing for places in the pace attack.