England new ODI squad: England’s 18-member ODI squad for Pakistan series includes as many as nine uncapped players.
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Following a COVID-19 outburst in the original 16-member squad, England have had to put together another 18-member squad which comprises of nine uncapped players. All this was done a couple of days before their first ODI against Pakistan in Cardiff on July 8.
The development means ample opportunities for multiple fringe players including ones who are making their comebacks into the national squad.
While all-rounder Ben Stokes has been handed the ODI captaincy for the first time under surprising circumstances, head coach Chris Silverwood has returned after giving up his scheduled break from the role with the national team.
England new ODI squad for Pakistan ODIs
Ben Stokes (c), Jake Ball, Danny Briggs, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Lewis Gregory, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Matt Parkinson, David Payne, Phil Salt, John Simpson, James Vince.
“It’s a great opportunity to play on the biggest stage, and for most of the players selected it’s not necessarily something they would have been expecting 24 hours ago.
“It’s an exciting group of players, with some young talent and some players who have impressed at domestic level over a long period of time,” England Men’s Cricket Managing Director Ashley Giles said in a statement.
Stokes, who was representing Durham in a County Championship match for the first time in three years until yesterday, has returned to the national team and will be playing an ODI for the first time in more than three months.
Other than Stokes, eight players have been recalled to the ODI squad namely Jake Ball (last played an ODI in June 2018), Danny Briggs (last played an ODI in February 2012), Ben Duckett (last played an ODI in October 2016), Saqid Mahmood (last played an ODI in August 2020), Dawid Malan (last played an ODI in March 2021), Craig Overton (last played an ODI in June 2018), Matt Parkinson (last played an ODI in February 2020) and James Vince (last played an ODI in August 2020).
Out of the nine uncapped ODI players, Zac Crawley (14 Tests), Lewis Gregory (eight T20Is) and Dan Lawrence (seven Tests) have represented England in other formats. On the contrary, the likes of Brydon Carse, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, David Payne, Phil Salt and John Simpson are yet to play an international match.
Who is Brydon Carse?
Durham fast bowler Brydon Carse might not be having the weight of multiple wickets behind his name but he sure can bowl at an express pace if given an opportunity in the imminent three-match series. Co-incidentally, Carse will be making his ODI debut (if it happens) under Durham teammate Stokes.
In seven List A matches till date, Carse has picked 10 wickets at an average of 22.30, an economy rate of 5.46 and a strike rate of 24.50.
Who is Tom Helm?
Middlesex fast bowler Tom Helm, who was part of the non-traveling reserves for India tour earlier this year, might finally get to play international cricket in the next week or so.
The 27-year old right-arm fast-medium bowler has picked 56 wickets in 40 matches at an average of 31.10, an economy rate of 5.75 and a strike rate of 32.40. Been playing competitive cricket in England for eight years now, Helm would be keen to perform at the highest level now.
Who is Will Jacks?
Much like Helm, Surrey batsman Will Jacks was the other non-traveling reserve for India tour. Having scored 369 run in 11 T20 Blast 2021 matches at an average and strike rate of 36.90 and 170.04 respectively, Helm is currently the sixth-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
In 21 List A innings, Jacks has only scored 506 runs at an average and strike rate of 24.09 and 95.05 respectively. Having played for Hobart Hurricanes in Big Bash League 2020-21, the 22-year old right-hand batsman had failed to impress down under scoring just 79 runs in eights innings at 9.87 and 114.49.
Who is David Payne?
Gloucestershire fast bowler David Payne has been a tried and tested campaigner in England’s domestic circuit across formats. In his 12-year long List A career, Payne has picked 110 wickets in 66 matches at an average of 24.96, an economy rate of 5.76 and a strike rate of 26.
Payne, 30, also has the experience of 105 first-class and 101 T20 matches under his belt. A left-arm bowling option in the absence of Sam Curran, David Willey and Reece Topley, Payne is in likeliness of making his England debut against Pakistan.
Who is Phil Salt?
Much like Jacks, Sussex batsman Phil Salt is also coming on the back of a mediocre BBL season. In 15 T20s for Adelaide Strikers, Salt’s 310 runs had come at an average and strike rate of 20.66 and 130.25 respectively comprising of a couple of half-centuries.
Unlike Jacks’ List A numbers, Salt has done comparatively better in the format scoring 494 runs at 32.93 and 104.66. Been on the brinks of the national team, Salt would be keen to prove his mettle at the highest level.
Who is John Simpson?
Middlesex wicket-keeper batsman John Simpson will be fighting for the wicket-keeper’s spot with Duckett and Salt. In 72 List A innings, left-handed Simpson has scored 1,587 runs at an average of 26.01 and a strike rate of 86.76. Been out of form in County Championship 2021, 32-year old Simpson might not be preferred ahead of the aforementioned names at least for the first ODI at Sophia Gardens.
