Foakes and Jennings recalled for Sri Lanka tour
England have recalled Lancashire opener Keaton Jennings and Surrey wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka next month.
The pair were both discarded after the West Indies tour 12 months ago but both of Jennings’ Test hundreds have come on the subcontinent and Foakes was player of the series in England’s 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in November 2018.
Foakes’ inclusion means there is no room for Jonny Bairstow in a 16-man touring party while England’s record wicket-taker James Anderson is another high-profile absentee, with Moeen Ali remaining unavailable for selection.
National selector Ed Smith said: “The selection panel has supported continuity after a successful series victory in South Africa.
“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.”
ALSO READ: Does anyone have the faintest idea what England are trying to do with Jonny Bairstow?
Speaking about the omissions, Smith added: “Jonny Bairstow has been in England squads across the three formats without a significant break. This two-Test tour presents a good opportunity for Jonny to be rested.
“Jimmy Anderson will continue to work with Lancashire and the ECB so that he is ready for the start of the County Championship season leading into the Test series against the West Indies in June.
“Moeen Ali is still unavailable for Test selection. The selectors are in consistent dialogue with Moeen and he remains a valued player in England cricket.”
Full England squad: Joe Root (capt), Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes (wk), Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Matt Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
England Test tour of Sri Lanka 2020
Saturday 7-9 March: Three-day warm-up match v Cricket Sri Lanka Invitational XI, CMCG, Katunayake
Thursday 12-15 March: Four-day first-class match v Cricket Sri Lanka XI, P. Sara Ground, Colombo
Thursday 19-23 March: 1st Test v Sri Lanka, Galle International Stadium, Galle
Friday 27-31 March: 2nd Test v Sri Lanka, SSC, Colombo
Latest
-
NewsHeather Knight happy to get monkey off back and lead England to series victory
Knight’s 101 ensured England won a nerve-racking series decider in Derby.
-
NewsHeather Knight century leads England to victory over New Zealand at Derby
Knight struck a classy 101 from 106 deliveries to take her team to the cusp of victory.
-
NewsLancashire keep title hopes alive with thrilling one-wicket win over Hampshire
A tense third day saw the Red Rose get over the line by one wicket to end Hampshire’s title bid.
-
NewsDanny Briggs stars as Warwickshire take edge in title push against Somerset
Ex-Hampshire ace Danny Briggs could have helped take the title away from his old club.
-
NewsEngland will carefully manage ‘warrior’ Katherine Brunt, Heather Knight assures
Brunt, 36, almost single-handedly made a game of the third ODI against New Zealand on Tuesday.
-
NewsThe MCC replaces the word ‘batsman’ with ‘batter’ in the laws of cricket
2017 Wotld Cup winner Alex Hartley has suggested ‘nightwatcher’ should replace ‘nightwatchman’ and ‘third’ should be used instead of ‘third man’.
-
NewsHeather Knight accepts and understands Pakistan tour decision
The England Women captain says the decision was taken out of the team’s hands.
-
NewsNew Zealand keep series alive with three-wicket victory at Leicester
Katherine Brunt impressed for England but the hosts were beaten.
-
NewsBowlers shine as Lancashire bid to land Championship title
Hampshire were dismissed for 143 at Aigburth.
-
NewsECB acted alone in cancelling tour, says Britain’s high commissioner to Pakistan
Christian Turner appeared to distance the political establishment from the decision and insisting he supported the trip.