sport news Harry Brook must be in our best team now for World Cup, admits England captain ... trends now

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Jos Buttler has revealed that the performances of Harry Brook in Pakistan have caused England to reconsider their best team for next month's Twenty20 World Cup.

'That's exactly what you want. People showing what they can do and giving you options for the final XI,' said England captain Buttler.

'He has been so impressive, not just with the runs he scores but the way he scores them and his demeanour at the crease. He's calm and composed. He's got a lot going for his game and I have really enjoyed watching him play at close quarters.

'Of course, it is always going to be dependent on the conditions but someone who can bat in the middle order like he is doing at the minute, in many different situations, is seriously impressive. He is certainly putting his hand up and making a strong case for that, isn't he? It's just great to have such options. We have got some guys coming back in Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone, so there are some good selection headaches.'

Brook, 23, was shaping up as one of the spare batters in the squad along with Phil Salt, when the 15 names for Australia were confirmed recently but has since made the position of No 5 his own on this tour, piling up 188 runs off just 108 balls. Indeed, such has been his prowess that Moeen Ali — leading on-field operations while Buttler recuperates — ditched plans to float up and down the order to remain at six.

Buttler says he is 'desperate to get out there' after succumbing to a calf issue in mid-August but is taking a cautious approach to his comeback.

He issued a warning at the start of this tour that he might not feature at all and Moeen will continue to wear the armband today, weather permitting. Pre-match practice for both teams in a series that is locked at 2-2 was cancelled yesterday after amid-afternoon deluge and further rain is forecast.