Barely two months have passed since England hoisted the T20 World Cup aloft in Melbourne to become the undisputed white-ball world champions – but a host of stars from the Three Lions’ squad are already making waves once more in leagues around the world.

From breathtaking batting to awe-inspiring feats of fielding, the title winners are producing performances befitting their pedigree.

England’s all-conquering IT20 side return to Trent Bridge this year to face an explosive New Zealand on Tuesday 5 September. Secure your seats here…

 

There’s a storm coming…

Alex Hales was, unquestionably, the story of the World Cup.

Recalled to the England side after three years away, the Outlaws opener made crucial contributions in must-win group-stage clashes against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, before leading his side’s ten-wicket demolition of India with a stunning innings of 86 from 47 balls.

And the runs have continued to flow ever since.

68 from 50; 59 from 36; 77 from 45 – Hales’ complete mastery of Australian conditions, for the umpteenth summer Down Under, yielded spectacular results in the BBL.

The right-hander’s free-scoring form sees no sign of abating in the Middle East, either, with half-centuries in each of his first two appearances for Desert Vipers in the ILT20.

 

 

Skipper sparkles in South Africa

Since spearheading England’s successful assault on the T20 World Cup, Buttler has become just the 14th man to pass 9,000 runs in the game’s shortest format.

Two fifties in his formidable alliance with Hales at the top of the order helped England to victories over New Zealand and India as they progressed towards white-ball glory – with Buttler’s calm hand at the tiller then proving crucial in a nailbiting final against Pakistan.

Now plying his trade for Paarl Royals in the SA20, Buttler clubbed 51 from 42 balls on his first appearance for the franchise, before going on to breach the 9,000-run barrier against Durban’s Super Giants.

 

Salt showcases strength in depth

He may have been limited to the briefest of contributions during the World Cup, but Phil Salt’s subsequent T20 performances prove that England’s white-ball talent pool remains deep.

An unbeaten 77 from 47 balls set up a dominant win for Pretoria Capitals in their SA20 opener, before another undefeated knock (of 52 from 30 deliveries) saw Salt’s side prevail over Joburg Super Kings in Centurion.

In the embryonic days of South Africa’s newest T20 tournament, Salt’s record is enviable – with his runs coming at a strike rate of 169.14, and his tally being the second-highest of the competition so far.

 

A fielding phenomenon

Hard-hitting lower-order batter, accomplished death bowler and an unrivalled presence when patrolling the boundary – Chris Jordan is the epitome of a triple threat in T20 cricket.

His appearances in the BBL this winter were defined by his gravity-defying athleticism in the field – making catches of considerable difficulty look like meat and drink.

 

 

Meanwhile, three wickets on his ILT20 debut for Gulf Giants – two of them in the pressure-cooker final overs – served as a handy reminder of the potency of his strongest suit.

 

Woakes wields the willow

A consistent threat with the ball in England’s global triumph, Woakes’ most memorable contribution to the Three Lions’ trophy win may well have been his striking of the winning runs in a nervy group-stage encounter against Sri Lanka.

With victory simply imperative, wickets having tumbled and two runs still required, Woakes cracked the fourth delivery of the final over past backward point to keep his side’s hopes alive.

His innings that day saw him score five runs from three deliveries – but his contribution for Sharjah Warriors in their ILT20 clash against MI Emirates was a little more sizeable.

A doomed rearguard action it may have been, but the right-hander’s counterpunching 62 runs at number eight came at a scarcely believable strike rate of 213.79, upstaging a host of storied colleagues at the top of the order.

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England at Trent Bridge

Trent Bridge will host three international matches in 2023, with the sole Test Match of the Women’s Ashes taking place at Nottinghamshire’s historic home, before England’s men face New Zealand and Ireland in IT20 and ODI contests respectively. 

Secure your seats at trentbridge.co.uk/internationals...