After Australia, now, it is the hosts, England, who announced their squad for the upcoming Ashes Trophy. They named 14-member squad for the 1st Ashes Test match against Australia at Edgbaston starting on Thursday 1 August. Jofra Archer is the notable inclusion in the squad.
Fast bowler Jofra Archer, who shone with 20 wickets in England’s victorious World Cup campaign, has been handed a maiden Test call-up. Ben Stokes, who was stripped off vice-captaincy after Bristol street brawl in 2018, has been reappointed as the deputy to Joe Root.
Jofra Archer, Jason Roy find a place:
The fast bowler didn’t feature in England’s record win over Ireland earlier this week due to a left side strain but showed signs of form by taking 2 wickets for Sussex on Friday in the Vitality Blast.
“After impressing in England’s successful ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer is called up to the Test squad for the first time,” said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in a media release.
Apart from that, the England Cricket retained Jason Roy as the opener of the game while Rory Burns also gets the nod. Joe Denly will continue in the team while Joe Root will be leading the team.
The all-rounder Ben Stokes and the wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler are also back in the side. Meanwhile, Jimmy Anderson also recovered successfully from the injury while Olly Stone also retained his spot in the team.
The major surprise is the exclusion of Jack Leach, who collected man of the match award in the game against Ireland. The only spinner slot is taken by Moeen Ali, who also bats like a top-class batsman. Apart from, Joe Denly can roll his arm while Sam Curran, Chris Woakes will be taking the responsibility of all-rounder slots.
England squad for 1st Test:
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vice-captain), Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.