England head coach gives big update ahead of 2023 World Cup as 'barest of margins' winners set to announce preliminary squad on Tuesday

The 2023 ODI World Cup is set to kick off on October 5 with the previous edition's finalists - England and New Zealand - clash each other at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. England will be looking to retain the title after reaching glory in 2019 by winning the final "by the barest of margins". According to reports, the defending champions will announce their preliminary World Cup 2023 squad on Tuesday, August 15.

England's red-ball captain Ben Stokes was the star of the 2019 final, where he scored a crucial 84 off 98 balls to help his team finish the match in a tie, which they later went on to win in the Super Over via the boundary count rule. However, they will not be able to get his services this time around as the all-rounder announced his retirement from the 50-over format in July 2022.

Meanwhile, their white-ball coach Matthew Mott revealed that limited-overs captain Jos Buttler will speak to Stokes to convince him to play in the World Cup. “There has not been a clear direction on what he’s going to do yet, but we are still hopeful. I’ve always said his bowling would be a bonus, but just look at what he brings with the bat, even in the field," he said.

We are planning for him to be available: Mott about Archer’s chances of featuring in the World Cup

Another major development in the England camp regarding the ODI World Cup is that the management is willing to take a risk with injury-prone Jofra Archer, given the benefit the veteran could bring to the team. The 28-year-old pacer has been a regular absentee from the England team due to a persistent elbow injury. The coach admitted a lot of things have to go in the Archers' favour, but said the management is trying to get him into the squad.

“There is a high chance that we will take risk on a proven performer that has done it on the world stage. We are planning for him to be available. Obviously, a lot of things have to go his way and it will be a tight timeline but with players like that you are going to give them every opportunity to prove their fitness, and so we will keep an open mind," Mott said.