Why the T20 World Cup is Harry Brook’s golden chance to salvage his reputation

We are barely into the second month and yet 2026 has already felt like a year to forget for Harry Brook.

It started with the news that the 26-year-old had been fined £30,000 for an altercation with a bouncer in New Zealand. That is bad enough for a captain, but it taking place the day before an ODI had some suggesting his position was already untenable.

Since then, things have only got worse. England, as they tend to do under Brendon McCullum went into an ‘us against the world’ mentality, assuring everyone that there is nothing seriously concerning with a player, the captain no less, not only being out the day before an international fixture but also getting into an unnecessary confrontation.

But since the first report by the Daily Telegraph, the same newspaper has revealed that Brook was not alone that night but instead alongside two of his team-mates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue, directly contradicting what Brook himself had said.

Brook did accept responsibility for lying but said he did it to protect his teammates, which is not much of an excuse.

It is not unreasonable to say that these two incidents combined would have been enough to see Brook removed from the England squad, not least stripped of the captaincy, but McCullum once again missed the point in his defence of the players, suggesting it was “annoying” everyone kept going on about it.

“The boys have made a mistake,” he said. “They’re not the first ones that have ever done it. They won’t be the last ones that will ever do it. They’ve put their hand up. They’ve been disciplined. They’ve been dealt with. The process was done internally at the ECB which we were all a part of.

“The boys were under no uncertain terms of how we felt about it but now our job is to support them.

“To be honest, I find it quite annoying that we keep going on and on about it because these are young men who are under immense pressure and they’ve put their hand up for something they’ve been disciplined for and piling on to them is not helpful for anyone.”

The Brook situation has become yet another example of something that happens throughout sport – if you are good enough, you can pretty much do whatever you want.

Make no mistake, if this was a player on the fringes of the England squad, they would be cast out without a moment’s hesitation.

Brook’s status as one of England’s best batters as well as a player seen as the future of the team has surely played a part in him retaining his position.

Brook’s usefulness to the team was highlighted in England’s victory over Sri Lanka in the ODI series decider. He hit an unbeaten 136 before recreating Stone Cold Steve Austin’s infamous beer celebration as a nod to his extracurricular activities.

While largely a bit of fun, that celebration said more about the way this England team often fails to read the room. Michael Atherton for Sky Sports suggested it showed a lack of “contrition” while his long-term punditry partner Nasser Hussain said the question now is “does [Brook] look like someone who can put it right, and wants to put it right, off the field?”

More on the T20 World Cup on Cricket365

• Cosmopolitan cricketers – 7 T20 World Cup players whose stories started in one country and continued in another
• Will these 7 players take their curtain call at the T20 World Cup?
• Why this won’t be South Africa’s year at the T20 World Cup tournament

The answer to that question should come over the next few weeks as the T20 World Cup begins in India and Sri Lanka.

The tournament is undoubtedly Brook’s biggest test as England captain so far. Win here and all is forgotten. An embarrassing early exit and critics’ knives will only be sharpened.

The positives, at least, are that the England T20 side has turned a corner since the previous edition of the tournament in 2024. Now under McCullum, a coach whose style perhaps suits limited overs cricket more than Tests, they have won 10 of their last 11 T20 matches and most recently dismantled Sri Lanka 3-0.

The team is made up of heavy hitters, of which Brook is the star, while plenty of effort has been put into giving spinners like Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid overs in preparation for the kinds of pitches England will be playing on.

England also has a very favourable group featuring Nepal, West Indies, Scotland and Italy, meaning anything less than a Super Eight appearance will be seen as a historic disaster.

It is a tournament not without challenges though. For a start, there are legitimate questions to be raised over Brook’s fatigue.

Stuart Broad was the last all-rounder England captain at a T20 World Cup and that ended with an embarrassing group-stage exit with just one win. Brook has been an ever-present in squads across formats and even at 26, that catches up with you eventually.

There is the opposition too. India, playing a home tournament, are the heavy favourites while South Africa and Australia are also hopeful of reaching the final.

More than it did in 2024, it feels like there is more riding on this tournament not only for Brook but for McCullum and Rob Key too.

The timeline of this tournament beginning a little over a month after the Ashes ended meant sacking the two senior figures would have been unwise but their future should absolutely be tied to how England perform this time round.

While there were few excuses to be found for the Ashes humiliation, there are none for this World Cup.

England have had the preparation, are not exclusively playing a home side on their favoured pitches and have a squad that features some of the best players in the tournament. Anything less than the semi-finals and all three of Brook, Key and McCullum should be removed from their roles.

Read next: The 7 biggest T20 World Cup absentees – what a pity

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Cosmopolitan cricketers – 7 T20 World Cup players whose stories started in one country and continued in another

As excitement continues to build ahead of the tenth staging of the T20 World Cup, attention turns to the official squads announced by each team.

While the names in most of the major teams will be very familiar to fans of the game, many of the minnow teams feature players who are less well known, or players who were never quite good enough to make it in their country of origin and who moved to greener pastures as a result.

Here is our look at players who will be turning out for countries other than the ones where they first cut their cricketing teeth.

This is not simply about where players were born, it is about where they learned their cricket. Here are seven players who have taken the long and winding road in order to get themselves to the T20 World Cup.

1. Curtis Campher (Ireland via South Africa)

Curtis Campher is one of the most fascinating dual-heritage stories in modern cricket. Born in Johannesburg and raised in South Africa’s competitive school system, Campher came through the ranks alongside players who would go on to represent the Proteas.

Despite strong age-group performances, which included playing for the South Africa U19 side, he found the pathway to the South African senior team blocked.

A move to Ireland, where his grandmother was born, opened new doors. Since qualifying, Campher has become one of Ireland’s most important all-rounders, capable of changing games with both bat and ball.

His four wickets in four balls against the Netherlands in 2021 remain one of the most remarkable feats in T20 history.

2. Jofra Archer (England via West Indies)

Perhaps the most high-profile example on this list, Jofra Archer’s rise reshaped English cricket.

Born in Barbados, Archer was a product of the West Indies youth system where he played three times for their Under-19s in 2014 before moving to England after becoming frustrated with limited opportunities.

Once qualified, he quickly established himself as one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world.

His role in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph and subsequent Ashes heroics cemented his status as a generational talent. Archer’s journey highlights how mobility within the cricketing world can unlock careers that might otherwise stall.

3. Wayne Madsen (Italy via South Africa)

Born into cricketing royalty in South Africa – his uncles are Trevor Madsen, the former Natal wicketkeeper and batsman and Henry Fotheringham, the Transvaal Mean Machine opener from the 1980s.

Born in Durban, he built a solid domestic career in England with Derbyshire but never seriously threatened South African selection. In his late thirties, Madsen qualified for Italy through family ties and has since become the backbone of their batting.

While far from a household name globally, his professionalism and experience have been crucial for Italy’s growing ambitions in associate cricket. His presence at a World Cup would be a rare example of a player making his international debut in the twilight of a long career.

Also read: 5 exciting under-23 stars poised for breakout T20 World Cup campaigns

4. JJ Smuts (Italy via South Africa)

Another South African product now wearing Italian colours, Jon-Jon Smuts enjoyed a lengthy franchise career in the domestic T20 circuit, particularly with the Titans.

A powerful left-hander, Smuts was often on the fringes of national selection, playing six ODIs for South Africa but never quite establishing himself as a permanent fixture.

This was despite scoring 84 against Australia in Potchefstroom in a man of the match performance in 2020.

His move to Italy has given him a fresh international platform and a leadership role. Smuts brings with him elite-level experience that few associate teams can match, offering Italy both stability at the top of the order and valuable tactical nous.

5. Andries Gous (USA via South Africa)

Andries Gous is one of the most important figures in the rise of American cricket.

Born in Welkom, South Africa, he moved to the United States in search of professional opportunities after falling out of favour at home. Since qualifying, Gous has been a standout performer in Major League Cricket and for the national side.

His aggressive batting and calm presence in pressure situations have made him a central figure in the USA’s push to become a serious force in global T20 cricket.

6. Shadley Van Schalkwyk (USA via South Africa)

Shadley Van Schalkwyk represents a different type of journey. Once tipped as a future Proteas all-rounder, his career lost momentum after a series of injuries and inconsistent form. A move to the United States offered a second chance.

Since switching allegiance, he has become one of the USA’s most reliable performers, contributing both as a medium-pace bowler and middle-order batter. His story is a reminder that international careers do not always follow linear paths.

7. Shehan Jayasuriya (USA via Sri Lanka)

Shehan Jayasuriya came through Sri Lanka’s domestic system but struggled to break into a national side packed with established stars. He was capped for the Asian side at ODI and T20I level but never managed to establish himself as a regular.

Relocating to the United States allowed him to reinvent himself as a senior international player. A stylish left-hander and handy spinner, Jayasuriya has become a key part of the USA’s batting core.

His experience of high-level cricket in Sri Lanka brings a level of professionalism that is invaluable to a developing team.

Read next: Revealed – The 9 best T20 World Cup batters of all time

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Why this won’t be South Africa’s year at the T20 World Cup tournament

The T20 World Cup is set to start later this week with 20 teams doing battle for the title.

The tournament is scheduled to take place between Saturday 7 February and 8 March. Starting with four pools of five teams, there are a host of minnow sides playing in the competition – look out for the likes of Oman, Italy, Netherlands and Nepal amongst others.

South Africa will be there, as usual, still questing for a first elusive World Cup win. Drawn in Pool D alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE and Canada they should advance comfortably to the Super Eights.

Let’s take a moment to look at their likely opponents and potential passage to the title.

Pool play

Drawn in a relatively tough group, the Proteas are the fifth ranked side in the world and have been drawn in a group that includes fourth ranked New Zealand and tenth ranked Afghanistan.

To put matters into perspective Afghanistan faced the West Indies immediately before the Caribbean outfit travelled to South Africa. Rashid Khan and his Afghan side won the series 2-1, the same margin that the Proteas beat the Windies by.

Afghanistan has the potential to make life tricky for the group favourites – especially on the turning wickets of Asia.

If things go according to play South Africa should advance from Pool D alongside New Zealand. Joining them are likely to be:

Pool A

Mortal enemies India and Pakistan are drawn in this group alongside minnows Netherlands, Namibia and USA.

Pakistan have made it clear that they won’t play India, but that shouldn’t be too much cause for alarm as they should be good enough to beat the other sides in their group.

Yes, Namibia did beat South Africa in 2025, but that was a ocne-off encounter against a second-string Proteas. Pakistan head into the World Cup having beaten Australia 3-0 while India took the series against New Zealand 4-1.

The Asian giants should advance to the Super Eights at a canter.

Pool B

Sri Lanka and Australia are the big fish in this pool, but both sides come into the World Cup off the back of series defeats. Australia were trounced 3-0 by Pakistan while England got the better of Sri Lanka.

Despite their ropey form the duo should have too much experience for the smaller sides in the group, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman. While Oman are unlikely to cause an upset, Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza could surprise while Ireland too have come a long way in T20Is.

Pool C

This pool was meant to feature Bangladesh, but they pulled out of the competition to be replaced by Scotland.

It’s a move that surely saw the West Indies taking a big breath of relief as the ninth ranked Bangladesh on Asian pitches would have been a tough assignment for the seventh ranked Windies.

Now however it looks likely that they will advance along with England with Scotland, Nepal and Italy making up the places.

Also read: 5 exciting under-23 stars poised for breakout T20 World Cup campaigns

Super Eights

If everything goes according to plan the top eight seeds will advance to the Super Eights. As was the case in the USA and Caribbean last time out, the Super Eight stage is divided into two pools of four.

No points from the pool stages are carried through and teams are slotted into a Super Eight Group based on their initial seeding rather than where they finished in the initial group. This means that teams that played each other in Pool Play won’t meet again in the Super Eights.

Should South Africa advance they are likely to be in a group alongside Australia, India, and the West Indies. Barring an upset the second group would feature England, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

At this stage of the competition each team faces the other in their pool with the Winner of Pool A facing the runner up of Pool B in one semi-final, while in turn the winner of Pool B faces the runner up of Pool A.

From a seeding perspective this is where the Proteas would be expected to bow out of the competition. But they have what it takes to advance to the semi-finals. India have looked very good in the build up to the competition with a crushing 4-1 series defeat over New Zealand.

Ishan Kishan is in great form; Abhishek Sharma is looking imperious while skipper Suryakumar Yadav has rediscovered his form.

Bolt on a bowling attack that features Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah and of course home ground advantage and it is no surprise to see why India are favourites.

But Australia are looking vulnerable… Pat Cummins is unavailable and Pakistan delivered a comprehensive 3-0 series spanking in the final warm-up to the main event.

It was spin that proved the Aussies undoing and if South Africa face Australia on a spin-friendly surface the likes of Keshav Maharaj, George Linde and Aiden Markram would be licking their lips in anticipation.

If South Africa are going to beat India, let them leave it for the final… their best chance of advancing to the semis is to see off Australia and the West Indies.

Semi-finals

It’s always tough to pick who will make it this far in the competition, but India looks like a safe bet. We are backing the hosts to emerge top of their group with South Africa in second place.

From the other group expect it to be England and New Zealand who emerge triumphant. Sri Lanka look the least likely to affect an upset while Pakistan is eternally mercurial and could do anything.

But England and New Zealand are two consistently good and organized teams, and they look the most likely to advance to the penultimate round of the competition.

In many ways it would be a disaster if Pakistan made it through and were then scheduled to face India – if that happened, they would forfeit in the semi-final (or at least that is the official position at the time of writing).

India would probably enjoy the prospect of facing New Zealand in the semi-final. The two sides have just finished a five-game series and know each other’s capabilities well.

But it will be a close call between the New Zealand and England to see who finishes top of the group. If South Africa are to make the final for a second year running it looks likely that they would be forced to face one of those two sides.

The final

We can all dream. Protea fans must remember that the team goes into the tournament as the world’s fifth ranked side. That means making the semi-final would be a better than par result.

To make the final would be a great achievement. To win it would be sensational. The odds on a Protea win are long, but they are worth a punt. Why you ask? Well, Shukri Conrad is taking a side to Asia that is in form.

Players like Dewald Brevis, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock are all in great touch. The bowling attack is potent as always. Perhaps most importantly though, the Proteas are coming in below the radar.

They don’t boast any of the top ranked players and they are only ranked fifth. They have the reputation of being chokers, even though they have proven that not to be the case. This all translates into the ability to surprise as much as it does in the ability to disappoint…

Whatever happens, expect a fantastic tournament played out in front of passionate fans.

Read next: Revealed – The 9 best T20 World Cup batters of all time

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Will these 7 players take their curtain call at the T20 World Cup?

World Cups are often used as milestones in the careers of players and coaches. Stars, aiming to go out the top of the game, like to retire after key tournaments (ideally having won them).

It’s what happened with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean, and something the pair are likely to do again after the ODI World Cup in South Africa in 2027.

But which stars are we likely to see donning their national colours for the last time in February’s T20 World Cup? Here’s our list of seven stars that we expect will hang up their helmets come the end of the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.

1. Suryakumar Yadav (India)

In many ways Suryakumar Yadav has been one of the defining T20 batter of his generation, redefining what is possible in the middle overs with his range and audacity.

Now on the wrong side of 35, the India captain finds himself with little left to prove in the shortest format of the game.

He has already lifted an ICC trophy and remains central to India’s hopes in home conditions, but the relentless schedule and increasing injury concerns suggest the end may be near.

A final World Cup on familiar pitches, with the chance to sign off as a champion, feels like a natural conclusion to his T20 international journey.

After a barren spell in 2025 he has struck excellent form against New Zealand and if he can carry that into the World Cup, India will be in an excellent place.

2. David Miller (South Africa)

Few players have been as synonymous with South Africa’s T20 evolution as David Miller. The left hander has reinvented himself multiple times, transitioning from raw power hitter to calm finisher and senior leader.

Approaching 36, Miller remains effective but faces growing competition from younger options. He has also become increasingly susceptible to injury.

South Africa’s white ball rebuild is accelerating and this World Cup offers Miller a final opportunity to deliver on the biggest stage (assuming that he recovers his fitness in time), particularly in subcontinental conditions where his experience against spin is invaluable.

3. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

Glenn Maxwell has been Australia’s great T20 enigma and match winner rolled into one. Capable of turning games in a handful of deliveries, he has also endured periods of inconsistency and injury.

With Australia placing greater emphasis on workload management and succession planning, Maxwell’s role is likely to diminish beyond this tournament.

At 36, and with an ODI World Cup win already secured, a final T20 World Cup cameo would allow him to bow out on his own terms and go on to spend some time playing on the lucrative franchise circuit.

4. Adil Rashid (England)

Adil Rashid’s influence on England’s white ball success cannot be overstated. The leg spinner has been a constant across multiple World Cup cycles, delivering control and wickets in the toughest phases of T20 cricket.

Now 37, Rashid remains highly skilled, but England have already begun introducing younger spin options. His tactical nous and experience will be crucial in India and Sri Lanka, but this tournament feels like a natural endpoint before England fully hand over to the next generation.

Also read: 5 exciting under-23 stars poised for breakout T20 World Cup campaigns

5. Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)

Alongside Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi has been the backbone of Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket. As an all rounder and leader, he has bridged the gap between eras and provided stability in pressure moments.

Now over 40, Nabi is already operating well beyond the typical international career span. Afghanistan’s improving depth suggests this World Cup will be his farewell, allowing him to exit having helped establish his country as a genuine force in global T20 cricket.

6. Johnson Charles (West Indies)

Johnson Charles has enjoyed a late career renaissance, forcing his way back into West Indies contention through strong franchise performances.

Now in his mid-thirties, Charles offers power at the top and vast experience, but West Indies are increasingly focused on youth and long-term planning.

A final World Cup appearance would reward his perseverance and provide a fitting end to an international career defined by resilience and adaptability.

7. Sikander Raza (Zimbabwe)

Sikander Raza has carried Zimbabwe’s white ball ambitions almost single handedly in recent years.

Batting, bowling and leading with equal commitment, he has been the face of their revival, and his efforts have seen him deservedly climb to number two on the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings.

At 38, and with Zimbabwe seeking to blood younger talent ahead of future cycles, this T20 World Cup could be his last global tournament.

As much as he has the ability to hold his place in the Zimbabwe side, he showed what he is capable of as a franchise player in the recently completed SA20, and he may well fancy a few lucrative paydays with more time on the franchise circuit.

A strong showing at the World Cup, would certainly underline his status as one of Zimbabwe’s finest modern cricketers.

Read next: Revealed – The 9 best T20 World Cup batters of all time

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Brilliant Bethell bowls England to victory against Sri Lanka

Brilliant Bethell bowls England to victory against Sri Lanka

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Harry Brook’s 12-ball brutality maintains England’s momentum

Harry Brook’s 12-ball brutality maintains England’s momentum

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Engalnd in rude health for T20 World Cup after Sam Curran hat-trick helps them to victory

Engalnd in rude health for T20 World Cup after Sam Curran hat-trick helps them to victory

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