Jofra Archer received his first test visit to the ashes and Ben Stokes was named vice-captain of the team when England announced a 14-man squad for the first test in Birmingham on Saturday, July 27.
Archer was touted to form the Ashes team since impressing in the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – he was England’s top wicket player in the tournament and played the crucial Super Over in the final against New Zealand.
He has 131 wickets in 28 first-class games for Sussex and after a draw between Sussex and Surrey, he was more than confident in his red-ball skills. “I think my balance with the red ball is better than mine with the white ball. I can not wait to take the opportunity,” he told BBC Sussex.
Ed Smith, the national selector, said that England’s exciting World Cup had influenced cadre selection. “Although it’s unusual to select a 14-member squad for a home test, there are compelling reasons,” he said in a statement. In addition, some bowlers who participated in the World Cup will be closely monitored to assess their preparation for the Test Match cricket.
Congratulations @JofraArcher getting into the Ashes squad. Never in doubt tho. And brilliant that he pushed hard to play for us @SussexCCC last night. Showed his love for the club 👊🏻
— Luke Wright (@lukewright204) July 27, 2019
“The other circumstances – a successful home World Cup campaign that is followed so quickly by a home ash series – are unprecedented. It makes sense to pick an extended squad and leave a range of bowling options open for final team selection. “
In the meantime, Stokes returned to the squad, having rested for the one-time game against Ireland as the team’s vice captain. It was a position he lost after the incident in Bristol in 2017, and the move to him in the role was approved by Colin Graves, the ECB’s chairman, after being recommended by Ashley Giles, the executive director of England’s Cricket has been. and CEO Tom Harrison.
There was also a return for Jos Buttler, who had rested for the meeting with Ireland, while Jimmy Anderson, who retired because of a calf injury out of the game, was included in the squad and is expected to recover in time for the first test.
For Jack Leach, who impressed after his move as a night watchman against Ireland with 92, but there was no place in the team. Nevertheless, he trains with the squad ahead of the Ashes opener. Lewis Gregory from Somerset missed that as well, but Olly Stone and Jack Denly both found a place.
