India vs England: Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes return to England squad for first two Tests, Sam Curran rested
ECB has named a strong 16-man squad for the first two Test against India. Star all-rounder Ben Stokes and mercurial pacer Jofra Archer have returned in England Squad.
In Short
- Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer have returned in the England Test squad for India series
- Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow have been rested for the first two Tests
- Six travelling reserves have also been named in the Joe Root-led side
The England National Selectors on Thursday named a strong 16-man squad for the first two Test matches against India. Star all-rounder Ben Stokes and pacer Jofra Archer have returned to the squad after being rested for the Sri Lanka series. Rory Burns, who did not travel to Sri Lanka to attend the birth of his first child also returns to Joe Root's side.
"Surrey’s Ollie Pope will travel to India and will be added to the squad when passed fit. Pope is recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in September during the Test series against Pakistan.
"The National Selectors have provided a block of rest for Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Curran and Mark Wood. The three players, who are currently in Sri Lanka, will miss the first and second Tests in India," ECB said in its official statement.
England Men’s Test Squad:
Joe Root (Yorkshire) (captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Dom Bess (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Reserves:
James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Amar Virdi (Surrey)
The schedule for the 4-match Test series between India and England
Friday 5-9 February: 1st Test India v England, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Saturday 13-17 February: 2nd Test India v England, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Wednesday 24-28 February: 3rd Test - India v England, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad
Thursday 4-8 March: 4th Test India v England, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad