[Eshen]

T20 franchise commitments leave England short-stocked for ODI tour of Bangladesh

On Monday The Telegraph reported that Alex Hales, who returned to the national team for 2022's T20 World Cup, has opted to forgo the tour having committed to a more lucrative deal with Pakistan Super League franchise Islamabad United starting from February 26. It has since been understood that Sam Billings, Liam Dawson and James Vince, three players who have been in and around both white-ball teams for several years, are also expected to follow suit. ESPNcricinfo also understands that Richard Gleeson and Tymal Mills are considering their availability for the T20I leg of the tour.

The first ODI against Bangladesh is on March 1, meaning those players who are part of the Test tour of New Zealand will not be available, with the second Test due to finish on February 28 in Wellington. That rules out Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Olly Stone (all currently involved in the ODIs in South Africa) and Joe Root. Will Jacks, yet to be capped in the 50-over format but seen as an opening option going forward, is also on the Test tour.

Along with the absences of Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone through injury, it is likely some of those on the Lions tour of Sri Lanka will be drafted in. Fast bowler Mark Wood, currently resting after the Test tour of Pakistan, is due to return for Bangladesh.

Discussions with those who have opted out of the Bangladesh tour are understood to have been upfront and honest, even empathetic, with the decisions left to the players.

The final squad is likely to have a similar look to the one that toured Pakistan for seven-T20 matches last October, which featured five uncapped players.