Tried and tested for the Ashes
England will name their Ashes squad today, with captain Joe Root heading up a group that is as close to full strength as possible in the ongoing absence of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer,
writes RORY DOLLARD.
Fears of a host of first-choice players pondering withdrawal from the trip due to Covid-related restrictions Down Under, have abated and there are unlikely to be any notable opt-outs.
That means Root will be joined by the likes of vice-captain Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan and Mark Wood, all of whom will be travelling straight from a month away at the T20 World Cup in the UAE.
With sstokes still focusing on his mental health and recovery from a second finger op and strike bowler Archer sidelined with a long-standing elbow issue, head coach Chris Silverwood is thought to have settled on a familiar looking panel.
Those hoping for eye-catching selections may be disappointed, with the most- attractive “Hail Mary” picks – big- hitting allrounder Liam Livingstone and his leg- spinning Lancashire colleague Matt Parkinson – likelier to be named next week in the supporting Lions squad.
With Dom Sibley axed from the new round of central contracts, Silverwood is likely to stick with Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed and Zak Crawley as top-order options with Malan, Root and Ollie Pope alongside wicketkeeper-batters Bairstow and Buttler in the middle order.
Fellow gloveman Ben Foakes is expected to miss out following his injury-hit season.
Moeen Ali’s retirement leaves the way clear for Jack Leach and Dombesstotakeuptwospinning places, though Parkinson and youngster Jack Carson may end up with the Lions too.
Veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad head up the seam ranks for what may well be their Ashes swansong, with support from the likes of Woakes, Wood and Ollie Robinson.
All-rounder Sam Curran has been forced to pull out of the IPL and the T20 World Cup with a lower back injury and will need to be assessed.
Craig Overton and Saqib Mahmood were also in the Test squad at the end of the summer but could be fighting for one spot, with the latter hoping to become the only uncapped player to make the cut.