Ballance and Dawson in Lord’s Test squad
England have named their squad for the first Test against South Africa including batsman Gary Ballance and spinner Liam Dawson.
Ballance has been on fire for Yorkshire this season averaging over 100 in the County Championship giving the selectors little choice but to recall him.
The Yorkshire skipper looks set to feature in Joe Root’s first Test as England captain with just five specialist batsmen in the squad including wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.
Allrounders Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali should be the first names on the England team sheet no matter where they play.
Dawson provides an extra spin option being preferred ahead of Adil Rashid as the reserve spinner but with Moeen in the squad England look set to name a pace quartet of Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Jimmy Anderson.
Roland-Jones gets his recall courtesy of an injury to Jake Ball who suffered a knee strain playing county cricket.
Former skipper Alastair Cook and young South African-born Keaton Jennings reprise their opening partnership that showed promise in India.
England squad: Joe Root (capt), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Jimmy Anderson.
Latest
-
NewsJonathan Trott warns England not to get ‘too desperate’ against India spinners
The duo have taken a combined 42 wickets in the series so far.
-
NewsDarren Gough fears England could be on the end of another hiding by India
Gough knows all about two-day Test wins.
-
NewsChris Silverwood hopes England batsmen can learn from quickfire third-Test loss
Silverwood would not be drawn into criticising the pitch.
-
NewsEngland players clash online over Alex Hartley’s social media comments
Hartley advertised England Women’s one-day international with New Zealand by referencing the men’s third Test defeat inside two days to India.
-
NewsNat Sciver excels as England wrap up series win in New Zealand
Sciver claimed three for 26 and hit 63.
-
NewsJoe Root invites ICC to make own judgement on Ahmedabad pitch
England were beaten by 10 wickets to go 2-1 down in the series.
-
NewsIt was nice to bat on – Rohit Sharma defends pitch after India seal two-day win
The hosts thrashed England by 10 wickets in Ahmedabad.
-
NewsCharlotte Edwards elected as first female president of the PCA
The former England captain takes over from Graham Gooch at the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
-
NewsJoe Root refuses to blame pitch for England’s quickfire defeat in Ahmedabad
It was the shortest match since 1935 in terms of balls bowled.
-
News7 Tests with the most premature endings since 2000
A turning wicket caused chaos for batsmen on both sides as England’s first-innings collapse for 112 set the tone.