The selectors cleared that the squad is mostly retained and only replaced those who are injured.
Ben Foakes and Keaton Jennings have been summoned back to play with England for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Foakes is a right-handed batsman who was able to score close to 300 runs, while Jennings is a left-handed batsman who contributed a century during the opening game of 2018-19 Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle.
As of now, James Anderson is still recovering due to a rib injury sustained in the Cape Town Test in which he was also able to take a five-wicket haul.
On the other hand, Jack Leach who has recovered from his illness returns to the squad together with Dominic Bess and Matthew Parkinson. Bess also plays for Somerset County Cricket Club while Parkinson made his international debut with England cricket team in 2019.
‘The selection panel has supported continuity after a successful series victory in South Africa’, Ed Smith stated, from the England National Cricket Selectors. ‘The South Africa tour marked the emergence of a very exciting group of young players, creating a nice balance with an experienced core of senior players. That squad is mostly retained, with some tweaks to the squad relevant to injury, rest and the challenges of playing in sub-continent conditions’, he added.
The squad: Joe Root (C), Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes (VC), Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
The upcoming Test will officially start from March 19 which will take place in Galle up to March 27. To learn more about Tests, check out Betwala’s page for more information.
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