England playing 11 in Ashes first Test vs Australia: The England Cricket Board announce their 14-member squad for first Test in Birmingham
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The England Cricket Board (ECB) have announced their 14-member squad for the first Ashes 2019 Test match all set to take place at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, at Birmingham.
With numerous talks surrounding his maiden Test call, the Barbadian speedster Jofra Archer has been included in the list of 14 players. Archer was brilliant for England in the recently concluded 2019 Cricket World Cup, especially during the Super Over where he perhaps bowled the Over of his life.
ALSO READ: Australia announce 17-member squad for Ashes 2019
Wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler, man of the 2019 World Cup final- Ben Stokes, and veteran fast bowler James Anderson, who missed the off-Test versus Ireland due to calf injury have returned back to the squad.
Jack Leach misses out; Moeen Ali the lone spinner
The ‘Man of the Match’ for his heroics with the bat against Ireland the other day- Jack Leach misses out on securing his berth in the squad. On the other hand, the batting all-rounder Moeen Ali is the only spinner in the side with Lewsi Gregory too missing out.
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”.
Thanks so so much for the amazing support & lovely messages in the last 24 hours. Great to get the win in front of an amazing Lords crowd! Outstanding from @StuartBroad8 and @chriswoakes this morning and great fun batting with @JasonRoy20 yesterday @englandcricket @HomeOfCricket pic.twitter.com/ahZoayN6fE
— Jack Leach (@jackleach1991) July 26, 2019
England’s 14-member squad for first Ashes Test
Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
England predicted playing XI in Ashes first Test vs Australia
Following the England collapse in the first innings of the Test match versus Ireland for 85, the selectors have perhaps made it clear that they would not be experimenting with the batting line-up. They have hence, not named a spare batsman in their squad.
Thus, we might see Jason Roy opening in the first Test alongside Rory Burns with Joe Denly coming in at No.3.
Whether Archer makes a Test debut in Birmingham remains to be seen given he is still recovering from the left side injury which plagued him throughout the World Cup. He played in the Vitality T20 Blast on Friday evening without any issue for Sussex though.
The left-arm all-rounder, who was decent with both bat and ball in the Test against Ireland, would be a hard miss though, if the selectors decide to go with Archer.
Here is England’s predicted XI for the first Test:
Jason Roy, Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer/Sam Curren, James Anderson.
