English players Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, and Sam Curran will all be rested for the ODI leg of their upcoming match series against South Africa.
England has already named their two 15-man squads for their upcoming limited over series in South Africa. The T20I lineup is composed of England’s strongest players as they aim to use this series as preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup in India. With that, the selectors have decided to rest Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, and Sam Curran for the ODI series that will follow so they can return home.
So far, Archer is the player to have stayed the longest in a biosecure bubble. Having moved from the Ageas Bowl to Emirates Old Trafford, and in the UAE, he will only have the chance to go back home after almost three months once the T20Is in the South African tour are over.
Talking about his experience in the bubble life, Archer says, ‘You're not at the ground but you still can't get away from cricket. It’s okay and it will be over soon anyway. You’re just counting days down till you’re free again’.
Similarly, Curran has also spent a long time in bio-secure bubbles. Although Stokes flew to New Zealand for personal reasons prior to their first Test against Pakistan, he managed to be a part of the IPL in UAE.
Talking about giving these players a rest, England’s national selector Ed Smith said, ‘I don't think it's a question of (them being) too tired. It's more nuanced than that. If you look at the commitment shown to England by those three players - Curran, Archer and Stokes - and their big performances in an England shirt, I don't think anyone could question their commitment to the cause’.
‘It's simply the case that the ECB had a stance for a number of years of permitting players to play in IPL. Clearly multi-format players, who also play franchise cricket are people who need some rest and we, as selectors, are very mindful of that’, he added.
As the three will be advised to rest, Olly Stone, Liam Livingstone, and Lewis Gregory will be given the chance to prove themselves in the absence of the three. England's tour of South Africa consists of three T20Is and three ODIs that will be played from November 28 to December 9. To understand these formats, check out Betwala.
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