Match Preview: England vs Scotland

In today's T20 World Cup clash, Jos Buttler's England will face off against Richie Berrington's Scotland at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in Barbados. While England enters as favourites to defend their title, Scotland aims to create some upsets in the tournament.

Despite their strong lineup, England needs to perform up to expectations. Similar to their position before the 50-over World Cup in 2023, they are labelled as favourites but haven't fully realised their potential, unlike their success in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Scotland, on the other hand, typically showcases collective effort and surprises early on to stay competitive for the next round, a trait common among associate nations.

ENG vs SCO predicted XIs

Phil Salt's scintillating performance in the recently concluded Indian Premier League has garnered attention, and his success at the top order could significantly influence England's campaign. Despite his reputation as a formidable T20 player, Salt is yet to showcase his skills on the international stage. As England prepares to unveil their campaign, all eyes will be on Salt to see if he can translate his IPL form into success for his national team.

George Munsey, Ollie Hairs, Charlie Tear, Richie Berrington (c), Brandon McMullen, Matthew Cross (wk), Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Christopher Sole, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Currie

Scotland player to watch out: England's batting lineup boasts significant power, but one noticeable weakness is the absence of left-handers in the top four positions. This could potentially be exploited by Scotland's Mark Watt, a left-arm spinner known for his accuracy and economy rate of 6.91 runs per over in T20 internationals. Given the recent conditions favouring spinners on Barbados's pitch, Watt may have an added advantage, posing a challenge to England's predominantly right-handed batting order.

Squads:

England Squad: Jos Buttler(w/c), Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Jonny Bairstow, Will Jacks, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Philip Salt, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, Tom Hartley

Scotland Squad: Matthew Cross(w), Michael Jones, George Munsey, Ollie Hairs, Richie Berrington(c), Michael Leask, Brandon McMullen, Jack Jarvis, Charlie Tear, Chris Greaves, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal, Bradley Currie, Christopher Sole