Last Update: June 03, 2023, 18:29 IST
England men’s cricket team (AP)
England have retained an unchanged 16-man squad for the first two Ashes Tests against Australia.
England announced their 16-man squad as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) selection panel named an unchanged squad from the Test against Ireland for the first Ashes match against Australia, which begins at Edgbaston on June 16. Will start
Josh Tongue’s promising Test debut has seen the Worcestershire pacer named unchanged in the England squad announced on Saturday for the first two matches of the upcoming Ashes series.
Tongue was a late inclusion in England’s squad for the one-off Test with Ireland this week due to injury concerns over James Anderson (groin) and Ollie Robinson (ankle), although both pacers will play against Australia at Edgbaston. He is expected to be fit to face. 16 June.
Tongue has impressed at Lord’s and on Friday topped 91 mph in his opening spell before picking up his first Test wicket on the second day of the four.
The 25-year-old spent 15 months with a nerve problem in his shoulder before regaining fitness in 2002 and last month he dismissed Australia star Steve Smith for Sussex.
He now finds himself in contention for the first two Tests of the five-match Ashes campaign alongside fellow fast bowlers Anderson, Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Robinson, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood.
Jack Leach is the only specialist spinner in the 16-man squad, with Essex’s Dan Lawrence providing batting cover.
England are concerned about the fitness of their skipper Ben Stokes, who has had a long-standing knee problem and was seen writhing in pain after taking a catch to dismiss Ireland’s Curtis Campher on Saturday.
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England Ashes team:
- Ben Stokes (C)
- James Anderson
- Johnny Bairstow
- stuart broad
- harry brook
- zak crawley
- ben duckett
- and Lawrence
- Jack Leach
- Ollie Pope
- Matthew Potts
- Ollie Robinson
- Joe Root
- passion tongue
- Chris Woakes
- mark wood
The England players will report to Birmingham on June 12 and begin their practice at Edgbaston from June 13.
Ash Schedule:
First Test: 16-20 June, Edgbaston, Birmingham
Second Test: 28 June-2 July, Lord’s, London
Third Test: 6-10 July, Headingley, Leeds
Fourth Test: 19-23 July Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Fifth Test: 27-31 Kia Oval, London
(with inputs from agencies)
