Picture Credit: Twitter
England Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday named their squad for the one-off Test against Ireland ahead of the much-awaited Ashes series. In the 15-member squad which featured names like Ben Stokes, James Anderson, and others also saw the return of wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow. However, one thing which surprised several was the exclusion of England pacer Jofra Archer.
While Bairstow returns after being out of action since August last year after a horrific accident while playing golf, Archer who was recently ruled out of the ongoing Indian Premier League will remain to be further out of action with recurrence of stress fracture.
It is to be noted that Archer will miss the remaining summer of 2023 with a fracture in right elbow. The ECB Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key also opened up on Archer’s on and off appearance. “It has been frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer. He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously. We wish him the best of luck with his recover. I’m sure Jofra back to his best and winning games for England,” Key added.
The notable inclusion in the squad includes Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. James Anderson will also make his return after coming from an injury during Lancashire’s County clash against Somerset. The Three Lions will lock horns in one-off Test against Ireland from 1-4 June before taking on Australia in the Ashes, starting June 16.
England squad: Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley , Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.