Anderson and Broad may miss Sri Lanka tour
England could go on tour next month without one of either Stuart Broad or James Anderson for the first time in 14 years.
Before naming the squad for the Sri Lanka Test series, the selectors will hold discussions with the players and are tempted to leave out both of their legendary quick bowlers for a series to be played on pitches that are not going to suit pace bowling.
Anderson, who is recovering from a broken rib and could be rested for a home series against West Indies in June, took just one wicket in Sri Lanka in 2019 and was left out for the third Test. Broad has played every Test this winter, but he appeared in just one Test on the last tour to Sri Lanka, replacing Anderson in Colombo.
Instead, England are expected to pick an extra spinner and could leave the few overs of seam to Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer or Mark Wood, depending on their fitness. One of either Broad or Anderson has been on every England tour since March 2006.
Dom Bess has worked his way into the squad for the Sri Lanka tour in March with his performance in Port Elizabeth, but the selectors will sit down and talk to Moeen Ali when he arrives in South Africa at the weekend to see if he is ready to play Test cricket again.
Moeen said last week he was still undecided over whether to make himself available for the tour to Sri Lanka after losing his appetite for Test cricket. But he remains England’s best spin bowler and the management will pick him if he ends his self-imposed Test exile.
“I’m very keen to have that chat with him, yes. Moeen’s a great lad and I do enjoy having him around,” said Chris Silverwood, the England head coach, who will meet Moeen when the one-day squad arrive at the weekend.
“I get on very well with Mo, so at some point we’ll sit down and have a chat. My door’s always open, he knows that. First and foremost, we want what’s best for Mo, but to have him around is a great asset.”
Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock has replaced Faf du Plessis as captain of South Africa’s 50-over side for the forthcoming series against England. Du Plessis was widely expected to stand down after the World Cup last year and, at 35, is not going to play in the next tournament. Du Plessis was also left out of the squad for the three-match series with England, although he is expected to remain in charge of the Twenty20 side.