Yahoo News Mark Wood named in England's 15-man ICC Champions Trophy squad
England have placed their faith in the leaders of their white-ball revolution to deliver their first global 50-over trophy this summer.
Captain Eoin Morgan will lead a 15-man party for this summer’s Champions Trophy on home soil, comprising the players who revived England’s one-day cricket after their dismal performance at the 2015 World Cup.
That means, as expected, there is no place for Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad in the squad. It now appears unlikely that the new-ball pair, still so effective in Test cricket, will play again for England in the shorter forms.
Much is expected of quick bowler Mark Wood, whose career has been affected by injuries but is bowling again for Durham this summer. If they can keep him fit, Wood’s extra pace through the air is likely to be a key weapon for England. All-rounder David Willey is also back after shoulder surgery.
National selector, James Whitaker, said: “We have made encouraging progress over the past 18 months in white ball cricket and the squads selected reflects consistency and gives options across all disciplines.
“It is pleasing that Mark Wood and David Willey have returned to full fitness. They add variety and quality to our bowling strengths and David’s ability as an attacking batsman is also an important element for us.
“As we build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy in June, matches against Ireland and South Africa are very important in their own right as we aim to win both series.”
Joe Root, who succeeded Alastair Cook as Test captain earlier this year, is this team’s premier batsman and is likely to need a prolific tournament if England are to lift the trophy.
There are only two players – Morgan and fast bowler Liam Plunkett – chosen for the tournament who are aged 30 or above. Star players like Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes, who are involved in the Indian Premier League, have been given permission to miss the two one-day internationals against Ireland, on May 5 and 7.
England squad for Champions Trophy
E Morgan (Middlesex, c), M Ali (Worcestershire), J Bairstow (Yorkshire), J Ball (Nottinghamshire), S Billings (Kent), J Buttler (Lancashire), A Hales (Nottinghamshire), L Plunkett (Yorkshire), A Rashid (Yorkshire), J Root (Yorkshire), J Roy (Surrey), B Stokes (Durham), D Willey (Yorkshire), C Woakes (Warwickshire), M Wood (Durham).
England squad for Ireland series.
E Morgan (Middlesex, c), M Ali (Worcestershire), J Bairstow (Yorkshire), J Ball (Nottinghamshire), S Billings (Kent), B Duckett (Northamptonshire), S Finn (Middlesex), A Hales (Nottinghamshire), L Plunkett (Yorkshire), A Rashid (Yorkshire), J Root (Yorkshire), J Roy (Surrey), D Willey (Yorkshire), (Warwickshire), M Wood (Durham)
They will rejoin Morgan’s squad for three matches against South Africa from May 24-29. The opening Champions Trophy fixture is on June 1, against Bangladesh at The Kia Oval.
The absence of Stokes, Buttler and Woakes from the group means batsman Ben Duckett and pace bowler Steven Finn may have the chance to impress against Ireland. At his best, Finn is one of England’s most potent one-day bowlers and he will feel unlucky to have missed out to Jake Ball in the Champions Trophy squad.
Duckett may be similarly frustrated. Although he struggled in Test cricket against Bangladesh and India last winter, the Northamptonshire player scored two half-centuries in three ODIs in Bangladesh last autumn, which remain his only 50-over appearances to date.
Instead Sam Billings, the Kent wicketkeeper-batsman, gets the nod. Billings will return from the IPL, where he is playing for Delhi Daredevils, to take part in the Ireland matches, as will opening batsman Jason Roy. Roy is with Gujarat Lions in the IPL but has already suggested he is keen to get back in four-day and 50-over action for Surrey.
