Taylor all set to lead England into ‘new era’
Batsman to captain side for first time in one-off ODI against Ireland at Malahide
James Taylor leads a muchchanged side into what he says is a “new era” for England cricket when they face Ireland in a One Day International (ODI) at Malahide, near Dublin, today (1.45pm UAE start).
After their underwhelming performance at the World Cup, when they lost their four games against Test nations and failed to reach the knockout stages, the England selectors have rung the changes with no fewer than six players in line to make their ODI debut, five of whom have never represented England in any format.
With regular one-day captain and former Ireland international Eoin Morgan allowed to miss this one-off game to play in the Indian Premier League, Taylor gets the chance to captain his country for the first time.
“It will be a real honour to lead out a young England side and, although I have got the job by default because there were a few guys in the West Indies on the Test tour, it is really a special moment,” said Taylor.
Fresh faces
“But there are plenty of fresh faces and young, exciting talent. It’s a new era for England cricket, a chance to park the World Cup and look forward to a fresh start.”
Surrey’s Cambridge graduate Zafar Ansari, Kent wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings, Somerset all-rounder Lewis Gregory, Hampshire batsman James Vince and Northamptonshire all-rounder David Willey are all hoping for an England debut, while Surrey’s Jason Roy is, so far, a T20 specialist.
Meanwhile, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood can expect a game after travelling back early from the West Indies, where England could only manage a 1-1 draw against opponents labelled “mediocre” by incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves.
It is also the start of a new era for Ireland but, in contrast to England, their stock continues to rise after victories over Zimbabwe and West Indies at a World Cup where they were only denied a quarter-final place on net run-rate.
John Bracewell, the former New Zealand off-spinner who coached his country for five years, including at the 2007 World Cup, started work on Tuesday as Ireland coach in succession to Phil Simmons, now in charge of his native West Indies, but will have an observer role only this week.