England were able to name their strongest available squad for the Ashes tour of Australia on Sunday as their stars remained committed to the journey coronavirus Quarantine fear. The Ashes tour was the subject of tense talks after England players and their families expressed concern over the strict COVID quarantine restrictions in Australia.
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England Test captain Joe Root and vice-captain Jos Buttler both indicated they might not travel if their fears were not eased. But following success in talks with Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Friday that they had given “conditional approval” to go ahead with the tour.
Both Root and Butler were named in the 17-man squad for the tour and there was no Covid opt-out with Essex batsman Dan Lawrence the most attractive selection.
“The tour of Australia is the pinnacle of England as a Test cricketer. I am delighted that all of our available players are committed to the tour,” England head coach Chris Silverwood said.
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“That is why we play and coach to be involved in such a prestigious series. More than half of our squad has not participated in the Ashes tour before, which means we will be refreshed and seeing the excitement of embracing cricket and visiting one of the best places in the world. “
Experienced James Anderson and Stuart Broad lead the seam bowling for their Ashes swansong with the support of fellow pacers Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson.
Broad will begin his fourth Ashes tour after making “excellent progress” due to a torn right calf during the Test series against India.
Moeen Ali’s retirement from Test action paved the way for Jack Leach and Dom Bess to take up two spinner slots.
Haseeb Hameed travels this week despite missing out on a central contract.
‘Make some history’ –
Butler, Woakes, Wood, Jonny Bairstow and David Malan will travel to Australia for a month straight with England in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
As expected, England fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Ollie Stone are missing due to elbow and back injuries.
Ben Stokes, currently recovering from finger surgery, was ruled out as the star all-rounder continues his indefinite break due to mental health reasons.
Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran was not considered for selection as a second scan confirmed he had a stress fracture in his lower back.
Australia are the current holders of the Ashes after retaining the urn after a 2-2 draw in England in 2019.
They won the previous series “Down Under” 4-0 in 2017/18.
The England team, which has lost six of its last nine Tests, includes 10 players who will tour Australia for the first time in an Ashes series.
“I believe we have picked a well-balanced team with options in all areas and a mix of youth and experience. There’s real competition for places and a real desire to work hard and compete with the aim of making some history,” Silverwood said.
“We are not under the illusion of how difficult this task is going to be. Australia have been strong at home in the past and they are expected to win this series.
“However, from our point of view, there is genuine enthusiasm and belief that we can do something special.”
Along with the main Test squad, England will also announce a separate Lions party in due course.
That group will be on stand-by in the event of an injury and will serve as a warm-up opposition ahead of the five-match Test series starting in Brisbane on December 8.
The ECB said the tour was still subject to “several serious conditions” before Cricket Australia toured in November.
England’s 17-man Test squad: Joe Root (captain), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Jack Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, David Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
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