England XI is represented by the 20 Counties taking part in the competitions of the National Counties Cricket Association under the auspices of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
With a talented mix of Under 19, National Counties, former and current County players, England XI have keenly assembled for the Dream11 European Cricket Championshipalongside Finland, Italy, Germany and Czech Republic in Group C. The team also includes Wales captain Sam Pearce, who played for Glamorgan in the T20 Blast this summer.
Expertly led by Dan Lincoln, who scored a magnificent ton in the Group C Final against Italy, England XI will be favourites for the inaugural Dream11 European Cricket Championship crown.
Captain: Dan Lincoln
Wicketkeeper: Dan Lincoln, Alex Mellor
Projected Top Four: Dan Lincoln, Harrison Ward, Tom Bevan, Alex Mellor
Projected Opening Bowlers: Zum Ahktar, Andy Rishton, Richard Edwards
Spin Options: Alex Russell, Sam Pearce, Max Uttley, Tom Bevan
Coach: Tom Lambert
KEY PLAYERS
Harrison Ward, the talented left-handed opener caught the eye for England XI on the opening day of Group C action. The 21-year-old steadied the ship as England got the better of old foe Germany, recovering from a precarious 18-4 chasing 56 to win with the Sussex County player Ward seeing England home with 41 off 18 balls. In the final game of the day, England cruised home against Finland with Ward again in the runs with 40 off 12 balls as the Group C favourites eased home with 38 balls to spare in the novel T10 format.
Sam Pearce, Wales captain and bowling all-rounder, he represented Glamorgan in the T20 Blast this summer and Royal London One Day Cup. Pearce also led Wales to the semi-finals of the NCCA fifty-overs competition this summer. Made a solid start with the ball against Finland on the opening day. At the end of the group stages, he was the second-highest wicket-taker in ECC21 with 15 wickets at an average of 8.53.
Dan Lincoln, skipper, wicketkeeper and a former professional footballer with Reading FC, he has played for Glamorgan and Kent in the last two years in county cricket and brings experience to this young side. The main man in the Group C Final with a tremendous century against Italy. He finished as the third-highest run-scorer in the group stage of ECC21.
Alex Mellor, the most experienced player in the side, he is a former player with Warwickshire CCC and is 31 years old.
Last but certainly not least, is @staffsccc most experienced player, @alexmellor22 who will be in the England squad for the #ECC21 tournament. Wicket Keeper, right handed batter and former professional cricketer with @WarwickshireCCC!
— NCCA (National Counties Cricket Association) (@NCCA_uk) September 24, 2021
(squad number 7, age 31, Staffordshire) pic.twitter.com/Zga0mHrvDq
