NEWS
Follow UsEngland players who featured in the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 were rested for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand while Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey and Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson received their maiden Test call-ups on Tuesday.
"Multi-format players Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes are rested after completing a quarantine period following the cancellation of the Indian Premier League earlier this month. They will spend some time resting before joining up with their respective counties in due course," an ECB press release said.
All-rounder Ben Stokes, who pulled out of IPL 2021 due to a fractured finger and pacer Jofra Archer, who suffered an elbow injury while playing county cricket, were not considered for selection.
Bracey has scored 478 at an average of 53 in the country cricket championship runs so far this season, while Robinson has taken 29 wickets. Silverwood said the duo, who were among the reserves for the series against Paksitan and West Indies, deserved their places in the squad.
"Having spent all winter and last summer in the company of our established Test players, they have immersed themselves in preparing and understanding what it takes to play at this level. The environment and culture will be something they are used to, and should they be in a position to make their Test debuts, they will be ready to showcase their skills," Silverwood said.
The England head coach felt that the series against New Zealand and the five Tests against India in August are the perfect opportunity to test its bench strength for The Ashes.
"The summer of Test cricket will be fascinating. Playing the top two teams in the world, in New Zealand and India, is perfect preparation for us as we continue to improve and progress towards an Ashes series in Australia at the back end of the year.
“With several players not available through injury or being rested for the New Zealand series, it is an opportunity for us to reward those who have been on the fringes of England squads over the past 12 months.
Joe Root will lead the 15-man squad for the series which will be played from June 2-14. The first Test will be played at the Lord's while Edgbaston will be the venue for the second Test.
England's squad for New Zealand Tests: Joe Root (Captain), James Anderson, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Olly Stone, Mark Wood