England has unveiled its squad for the 2021/22 Ashes, featuring 10 names who have never played a Test match on Australian soil.
England has unveiled its 17-player squad for the 2021/22 Ashes series, featuring 10 names who have never played a Test match on Australian soil.
Despite some speculation on whether the series would go ahead, cricket fans breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday when the England and Wales Cricket Board gave “conditional approval” for the trip.
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England’s Joe Root will captain his third Ashes series, while veteran seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad will tour Australia for a fifth and fourth time respectively.
Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has been named as England’s vice-captain.
Superstar all-rounder Ben Stokes, who underwent finger surgery earlier this week, will miss a second consecutive Ashes tour, while speedster Jofra Archer also won’t feature in the marquee series due to an elbow injury.
Despite averaging 11.14 in Test cricket this year, young gun Zak Crawley has been included while Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran was ruled out after being diagnosed with a back stress fracture.
The only surprising omission is Dom Sibley, who has regularly opened the batting for England since his Test debut in November 2019. Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes and leg-spinner Matt Parkinson could also consider themselves unlucky to miss out on a plane ticket.
There were no withdrawals due to Covid-19 protocols.
“A tour of Australia is the pinnacle as an England Test cricketer. I am delighted that all of our available players have committed to the tour. We are looking forward to touring and enjoying the experience of this historic series,” England coach Chris Silverwood said in a statement.
“This is why we play and coach to be involved in iconic series like this. More than half of our squad haven‘t featured in an Ashes tour before, which means we will be fresh and looking to embrace the cricket and the excitement of touring one of the best places in the world.
“I believe we have selected a well-balanced squad with options in all areas and a blend of youth and experience. There is real competition for places and a genuine desire to work hard and compete, aiming to create some history.
“We are under no illusions about how difficult the task is going to be. Australia have been strong at home in the past, and there is an expectation on them to win this series. However, from our point of view, there is genuine excitement and belief that we can do something special.
“Both teams are in similar positions in the Test world rankings. For that reason, it should be a compelling series. We can enjoy the build-up to the tour, get out there, and prepare well ahead of the first Test in Brisbane.”
England has not won a Test match on Australian soil since January 2011.
England squad for 2021/22 Ashes
Joe Root (c)
James Anderson
Jonathan Bairstow
Dom Bess
Stuart Broad
Rory Burns
Jos Buttler
Zak Crawley
Haseeb Hameed
Dan Lawrence
Jack Leach
Dawid Malan
Craig Overton
Ollie Pope
Ollie Robinson
Chris Woakes
Mark Wood
Ashes 2021/22 schedule
8-12 December: 1st Test, Australia v England, Gabba, Brisbane
16-20 December: 2nd Test, Australia v England (D/N), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
26-30 December: 3rd Test, Australia v England, MCG, Melbourne
5-9 January: 4th Test, Australia v England, SCG, Sydney
14-18 January: 5th Test, Australia v England, Optus Stadium, Perth
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