Germany want Kohler-Cadmore to fire World Cup dream

Germany are set to make an ambitious attempt to persuade Somerset's Tom Kohler-Cadmore to join his brother and be part of their bid to qualify for a first-ever T20 World Cup.

Kohler-Cadmore was called up to England's limited-overs squad for last summer's one-day international series against Ireland but did not make an appearance.

The 29-year-old, a big-hitting top-order batter who also keeps wicket, has scored 4,948 runs in 198 domestic T20 innings at an average of 27.64.

He featured in the 2024 Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals and would have been among those in contention for England's T20 World Cup squad had there been an injury to a frontline batter.

However, BBC Sport understands the Deutsche Cricket Bund (DCB) want to pull off a major coup and convince him to represent Germany in the future.

Kohler-Cadmore's mother Annette is German and his elder brother Ben recently acquired citizenship.

Ben, 31, made his first appearance for the nationalmannschaft against the Netherlands A last month.

He is now set to make his full T20 international debut before his sibling in an International Cricket Council (ICC) European sub-regional qualifier, held in Krefeld, between 7-14 July.

Ben has previously played 2nd XI cricket for Worcestershire, Minor Counties for Cheshire and represented the Royal Navy.

Germany are among the favourites to win the 10-team event and join the Netherlands, Scotland and Italy in the main ICC European regional qualifier - the top two from which will go to the 2026 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The qualifier is set to be held next summer, by which time the younger Kohler-Cadmore's England prospects will be clearer.

He is aware of Germany's interest but is fully focused on forging an international career with England for the time being.

Under ICC regulations, Kohler-Cadmore could potentially play in the 2025 qualifier, the dates and location of which have not yet been finalised, should Germany make it and then switch allegiances back to England if they came calling.

He would, though, have to wait three years to represent Germany - an Associate member of the ICC currently ranked 34th in the world - if he played for England first.

Kohler-Cadmore would also still need to apply for a German passport, and negotiate his release from Somerset, who he is contracted to until 2025.

There is little financial incentive for Kohler-Cadmore to represent Germany but the chance to play international cricket alongside his brother, with the cherry of a potential T20 World Cup appearance, does have some sentimental appeal.

Former Australia batter Joe Burns, 34, recently played a key role in securing Italy's place in next summer's ICC European regional qualifier driven by a desire to pay tribute to his late brother.