ENGLAND CAPTAIN Joe Root has announced the England squad from which a team will be drawn to play Australia at the first Specsavers Test Match against Australia, which will start at Edgbaston on 1st August.
Root announced the news while modelling the England squad’s new Test shirt, complete with his name and number.
The squad is: Joe Root (Yorkshire) captain Moeen Ali (Worcestershire) Jimmy Anderson (Lancashire) Jofra Archer (Sussex) Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire) Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire) Rory Burns (Surrey) Jos Buttler (Lancashire) Sam Curran (Surrey) Joe Denly (Kent) Jason Roy (Surrey) Ben Stokes (Durham) vice-captain Olly Stone (Warwickshire) Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer, 24, is in the squad for the first time. There is some doubt over whether he will be fit for a five day game, as his left hand side has been very sore. In better news, Lancashire seamer Jimmy Anderson is expected to be fit, after a troublesome right calf injury.
The squad also includes Buttler and Stokes, who were rested from the team picked to play Ireland at Lord’s.
Commenting on the selection of the squad, National Selector Ed Smith said, “Though it is unusual to select a squad of 14 for a home Test, there are compelling reasons to do so here. Several bowlers are recovering from injuries or niggles. In addition, some bowlers who played in the World Cup are being closely monitored to assess their preparation for Test match cricket.
“The wider circumstances – a successful home World Cup campaign followed so quickly by a home Ashes series – are unprecedented. It feels sensible to select an expanded squad and leave a number of bowling options open for the final team selection.”
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