England sporting Wood for Champions Trophy

Seamer Mark Wood returns to England’s ODI squads to face Ireland and South Africa and compete in the Champions Trophy having recovered from injury.

England selectors have announced a 14-man squad for the ODI Series against Ireland and a 15-man squad for the ODI series against South Africa and the Champions Trophy.

The Durham man has been out of action since injuring his ankle late in the County Championship season and missed the tours to Bangladesh, India and the West Indies.

Also fit and ready to go is Yorkshire’s David Willey who was forced out of the Caribbean tour in March with a shoulder knock.

Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes will skip the series against Ireland to continue participating in the Indian Premier League but skipper Eoin Morgan will cut short his participation in the T20 showpiece to lead the team against the country of his birth.

Batsman Ben Duckett and seamer Steven Finn have been added to the squad to face Ireland to replace the missing stars.

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.”

Squad for Ireland ODIs: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Ben Duckett, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Mark Wood

England squad for Champions Trophy and South Africa series: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood