England Announces Playing XI for First T20 Against India in Kolkata

Fast bowler Mark Wood will play for the first time since August in England's first T20 against India in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Wood, 35, has not played since the first Test against Sri Lanka last summer after a stress fracture was discovered in his elbow while he was sidelined with a minor thigh issue.

The Durham player joins Jofra Archer in England's pace attack with Ben Duckett set to open the batting alongside Phil Salt.

It will be the first time Duckett, England's Test opener, has opened in T20s for six years.

The five-match series against India and the three one-day internationals that follow and England's first matches with Brendon McCullum as their white-ball coach.

McCullum has transformed the Test side since being appointed in 2022 and now takes on both roles until 2027.

England XI: Salt (wk), Duckett, Buttler (c), Brook, Livingstone, Bethell, J Overton, Atkinson, Archer, Rashid, Wood.