Jamie Overton has been excluded.
Why is Jamie Overton not in England playing XI tonight for ENG vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 game? The reason is that they probably want more spin options.
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Jamie Overton has bowled well in the tournament, but the deck might suit spinners more. As a result, he hasn’t found a spot in the team, with England preferring Rehan Ahmed, another leg-spinner with ample batting value.
Rehan has yet to play a game in the tournament, but he can be effective on a slow Colombo deck, which has suited spinners more. He gives more options to England, who are likely to load as many spinners as possible against the Kiwis.
Additionally, he can be flexible with his batting position and can bat anywhere in the order. Rehan Ahmed has played everywhere and has improved massively as a batter.
So, this is the answer to the question ‘Why is Jamie Overton not in England playing XI tonight for ENG vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 game?’ The pace-bowling all-rounder might return once England play in India.
There are two main reasons behind employing Rehan Ahmed, apart from the obvious fact that the pitch will suit his craft. First of all, Adil Rashid, England’s premium spinner, hasn’t been at his best in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.
Rashid has nine wickets at 20.11 runs apiece, but these numbers are not the entire story. He has conceded nine or more runs in three different games and has often been guilty of bowling too slowly.
Hence, Rehan will give them more options to counter the Kiwis, who are decent players of spin and might take Rashid down. Additionally, England’s batting unit hasn’t been in great form, with the likes of Jos Buttler and Tom Banton not showing encouraging signs.
Rehan provides more stability as a batter, for he has a solid technique and can handle spinners better than Overton. Hence, England might promote him in the middle order and allow the likes of Will Jacks and Liam Dawson to face as much pace as possible.
England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Harry Brook(c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
New Zealand: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
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