Ashes 2019: England Squad for First Test

England Cricket Board has announced a 14-member squad for the first Test of Ashes series. England Cricket had a mixed experience in the last few days as just post the World Cup win they had a neck to neck fight against Ireland in the only Test at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s. England team will look forward to establishing their supremacy even in Test cricket and have the last laugh of World Champions.

A controversial night outside a pub in Bristol in fateful September 2017 snatched away the vice-captaincy of England Test team from Ben Stokes. He was cleared of the affray last summer but missed five months of international cricket before that. Thanks to his wonderful showcase in the last concluded World Cup for England Cricket, especially his brilliant Man-of-the-Match performance in the finale helped him to claim the role yet again. The National selector Ed Smith described Stokes as a “natural leader” and he is equipped with a “great understanding of the game”. He said, “Over the past 18 months, he has come a long way and has shown a great degree of maturity on and off the field.” Jos Buttler has been the acting vice-captain for the team until now.
Stokes’ reappointment has not been a smooth and easy decision as it has been passed by senior board officials according to an ECB statement. “Colin Graves, chairman of the ECB, has approved the reappointment of Ben Stokes as Test vice-captain following the recommendation from managing director of England men’s cricket Ashley Giles and ECB chief executive Tom Harrison.”
The selectors have trusted on most of the players who defeated Ireland at Lord’s a few days back. Although England was all out for just 85 runs in the first innings the selectors have not changed the batting line-up much. Along with the Durham all-rounder Stokes, Lancashire batsman Jos Buttler returns to the Test squad having been rested for the Ireland Test at Lord’s. The top order looks set with the inclusion of batsmen like Joseph Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Denly, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow. Unfortunately, Jack Leach has been left out even after his match-winning innings of 92 against Ireland in the second innings.
Jimmy Anderson has been welcomed back to the England Cricket squad after being rested at Lord’s.  He is making good progress in the recovery of his right calf injury and is expected to be fit for the first Test according to the board. Stuart Broad, Olly Stone, and Sam Curran are the common faces from the Home of Cricket. Moeen Ali is the only spinner as Anderson will lead the pace attack. Chris Woakes and Stuard Broad had a good outing against Ireland and were well supported by Stone and Curran. The selectors have all the reasons to go with the same attack. Ten of the eleven players that got the better of Ireland have been included in the squad.

England, in all likelihood, is going to introduce a new face in the Ashes. After an outstanding debut World Cup the 24-year old Jofra Archer has earned a place in the Ashes Test squad. The much-anticipated finale saw the youngster delivering the Super Over with utmost accuracy. For Archer, it was just a matter of time to be included in the England Test team as one of the promising fast bowlers in world cricket. But a side strain Archer has been facing since the showpiece event has not made his Test debut confirmed yet.  Archer has played a Vitality Blast match for Sussex on Friday which hints about his match fitness but whether he is fully fit for a five-day fixture is still not clear. With in-form pacers on the side, England might not like to take risk of playing Archer in the first Test.
Ed Smith explained while announcing the squad, “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.”
Squad: 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