England’s decision to leave him out of their World Cup squad has not only puzzled fans but has also been a subject of increasing scrutiny as time goes by.

At first glance, it was odd. Brook had shone in The Hundred and impressed during his debut Ashes series, while Dawid Malan, a potential contender for the World Cup spot, spent most of his time warming the bench for Trent Rockets. Brook’s remarkable feat of scoring the fastest Hundred hundred, with his nearest teammate trailing by a significant 90 runs, gave his supporters a strong argument against England’s selection choices. His recent quickfire 43 not out off 27 balls in the T20I against New Zealand further fueled this debate.

There was even a hint that Jos Buttler, a key player for England, might be reevaluating his stance. After Brook’s stunning performance, Buttler remarked, “There’s still a long time before everyone is meant to get on the plane, so we’ll wait and see what happens.”

However, if England perceives Brook as a backup rather than a first-choice player, recent developments may not have changed their perspective. Brook’s century and cameo are certainly within his capabilities, as his consistently outstanding form over the past 18 months suggests. England acknowledges Brook’s talent but has chosen not to include him in their squad. While it may be a contentious decision, England typically plans for contingencies and relies on depth charts.

Dawid Malan’s inclusion aligns with England’s contingency planning, as he offers versatility from opening to No. 4. In case of an injury, England can summon a reserve player. However, if a front-line batsman like Jason Roy experiences a dip in form, as has happened previously, there may be no immediate solution. England seeks an optimal balance between seamers and spinners and wants the flexibility to deploy three spinners if needed. If Brook is not among England’s best XI, some argue that he may not be in their best squad.

While Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler are undisputed giants of English cricket, Brook’s place in the starting lineup remains uncertain. If England insists on selecting a No.6 who can contribute with the ball, there’s limited room for Brook, given the presence of Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone. However, is this the definitive requirement for England’s World Cup campaign? In the 2019 World Cup, Stokes bowled fewer than five overs per game on average. Could any shortfall be compensated for by Root, who bowled only 10 overs throughout the entire 2019 tournament?

Harry Brook’s exclusion has raised questions about England’s selection process. Since his international debut last winter, England has played 17 ODIs, but Brook has featured in only three. Nine of these ODIs clashed with Brook’s commitments to England’s Test squad, leaving him unavailable for selection. Among those three appearances, one innings stood out—a commanding 75-ball 80, the quintessential No.4’s performance.

England has seven more ODIs before the World Cup, making it challenging to understand why Brook isn’t included in the squad for the New Zealand series. Notably, Jofra Archer burst onto England’s 2019 World Cup squad through impressive performances in bilateral series against Ireland and New Zealand. In contrast, Brook has yet to receive a similar opportunity.