England is one of the few cricketing countries that have always reaped the benefits of the services of players born in different nations. Out of a total of 736 players who have played for the England Cricket team thus far, as many as 107 players were born in a country other than England.
In fact, till date, 17 players each from South Africa and India have played cricket for England while 14 players from Wales have got the opportunity to feature as part of the England Cricket Team. Additionally, 10 Australia born players have also got the opportunity to don the England Jersey.
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The number of South African born cricketers to play for England has seen an increase since Andrew Strauss made his debut for England in 2003. After him, 10 different players from South Africa went on to play for England.
The World Cup 2019 squad of England tells a similar story. Almost 33 per cent of the players in the 15 men squad were not born in England.
Here is a look at players playing for England in World Cup 2019 despite being born in a different country.
Ben Stokes
The England all-rounder is New Zealand born. His father, Gerald Stokes, represented New Zealand in International Rugby. As a kid, Stokes shifted to England because of his father’s professional obligations.
It was here that Ben Stokes honed his cricketing skills and went on to become the fine all-rounder that he presently is. He showed his skills and talents at a very young age and was thus signed up for a 2-year contract by Durham.
At 19, Stokes made his debut for England and after being rehabilitated for a few disciplinary issues, the handy all-rounder is now a vital member of the England World Cup squad. Stokes was adjudged the Player of the Match in the World Cup opening game against South Africa for his all-round show.
Jason Roy
Jason Roy was born in Durban, South Africa. At the age of 10, Roy moved to England. One of the main pillars of England’s renaissance as a One Day International team, Roy is a stylish stroke player and has provided England fantastic starts at the top of the order which has resulted in England doing so well worldwide.
England’s poor performance in the Cricket World Cup 2015 helped his selection. Roy happened to be exactly the same kind of player that England was looking for and he was drafted into the team straight away.
Roy also holds the record of having the highest ever individual score (180) for England in ODI Cricket.
Tom Curran
The England bowling all-rounder was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Curran went on to play County Cricket for Surrey. Curran can swing the ball a long way and hit the ball a long distance while batting and is a useful member of the England squad.
The 24-year old South African born English cricketer has been a part of all the England Teams in all three forms of the game and can only get better.
Tom adds both depth to the batting as well as provide an option in the bowling unit- an asset for any captain.
Eoin Morgan
England captain Eoin Morgan is one of the few cricketers who have represented two countries in International Cricket. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Morgan initially played for the Irish team.
However, the English selectors were impressed by his performance for England Lions against South Africa. Morgan subsequently had to quit playing for Ireland after his name featured in the England squad for World T20 in 2009.
Morgan is the third Irish player to become the captain of the England Cricket team.
Jofra Archer
One of the latest to play for England is Jofra Archer. Oozing with raw talent and pace, Archer can consistently hit the hard length close to 90 miles per hour.
Archer, however, played his Under-19 Cricket for West Indies and when things looked all set for him to announce himself on the World Stage, West Indies Cricket board didn’t acknowledge his talent and failed to give him an opportunity.
It was then that Archer joined County Cricket and has been in a sensational form ever since. Archer’s addition to the England World Cup squad is expected to solve their death bowling woes.
