England announce 16-man squad for first two Tests against India

The England cricket team is currently playing a two-Test series in Sri Lanka. Following this, England will travel to India for a two-month long tour comprising 4 Tests, 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs.

Ahead of the marquee Test series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had revealed an 18-member Indian squad for the first two Tests. Now the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also announced a 16-member touring party for the first two Tests. In addition, the selectors have also named six travelling reserves for the visitors.

The Test series against India marks the return of bowling all-rounder Jofra Archer, swashbuckling batsman Rory Burns and all-rounder Ben Stokes in the squad. While both Archer and Stokes were rested against Sri Lanka, Burns had opted out to be with his wife for the birth of his first child.

Jonny Bairstow faces the axe

After missing the Sri Lanka Tests, young Ollie Pope is all set to miss the first two Tests against India too. Pope is recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in September during the Test series against Pakistan. ECB hopes to add Ollie back in the squad for India whenever he is fit to take the field.

Meanwhile, few notable omissions from the main squads are Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Curran and Mark Wood. All three players are currently playing the Test series against Sri Lanka but have been rested for the first two Tests against India. Also, if there are no injuries or any unforeseen circumstances, Craig Overton will return home after the Sri Lanka series.

England Men’s Test Squad:

Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

Reserves:

James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.