Whitaker: Senior players must help newbies

England

England selector James Whitaker has put the onus on the Test team's senior players to drive the side to success, as well as help the new players find their international feet.

England selector James Whitaker has put the onus on the Test team's senior players to drive the side to success, as well as help the new players find their international feet.

The squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka on 8 June features three potential debutants in Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan and Sam Robson, while Yorkshire paceman Liam Plunkett has not played a Test since 2007.

Whitaker emphasised that the selection process took all sort of factors into account, which is one of the reasons they chose Matt Prior instead of Jos Buttler as keeper, in order to make sure the balance of seniors was right

The selectors now want to see skipper Alastair Cook and seniors like Prior, Ian Bell, James Anderson and Stuart Broad make sure that the new and promising players convert their impressing county and short-format form into Test success.

Whitaker said: "It was challenging but in a way there was a fresh feel, with new coaches, a new energy about the team and a captain that's really invigorated about taking the team forward.

"I will say there is now expectation on those senior players not only to deliver their skills but help re-energise the team for Pete and Alastair and integrate newcomers into the team in the right positive way.

"It's very important they do that."

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