England have announced a tentative Test squad ahead of their stopover at South Africa. The Test squad list sees the returns of the legendary James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, and Mark Wood. Besides, Moeen Ali is still out of the picture, while Wood isn’t expected to return to the fold straightaway as the medical team continues to monitor his situation.
The Three Lions’ ever-existing selection dilemmas continue to affect the team’s on-field displays, and the management now has stuck to their usual procedure of swinging back and forth to their natural range of players. After having succumbed to a demoralizing series loss at the hands of New Zealand, the world champions know they have a mammoth job on their hands.
Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood is set to make way for the recalled experience of Wood and Anderson. The 17-man squad includes both Zak Crawley and Matt Parkinson. The former debuted in the Hamilton test, while the leggie traveled to New Zealand but didn’t feature.
England Test Squad for South Africa Tour 2019/20:
Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Butler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Matt Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
National Selector Ed Smith’s Comments
National selector Ed Smith reflected on the same, claiming, “With James Anderson and Mark Wood returning to the squad, Saqib Mahmood is the unfortunate player to miss out.”
He also revealed the extent of Mark Wood rehabilitation, continuing,
“It is not predicted that Mark Wood will be available for selection for the earliest matches. However, he will travel with the team and continue his rehab work with the medical staff on tour. There is no exact date given for his return, but the medical team is working towards him becoming fully available for selection during the tour.”
According to Smith, the match fitness concerns surrounding the pace bowling duo is why the hierarchy decided to announce a 17-man list.
“Moeen Ali, who asked to take a break from Test cricket last summer, remains unavailable for Test selection,” he concluded.
The first of the four-match Test series is slated to begin on the famous Boxing Day, at the Centurion. It’ll be the first time England will be battling it out in the Test championship away from home.
Fans will be happy to see James Anderson back
James Anderson had missed the entire Ashes a few months back, after getting injured in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, on day 1 after bowling just 4 overs. He had suffered a calf strain injury. But now he is fit and will be roaring to show his swing magic in South Africa.
He has so far taken 575 wickets in 149 Test matches and is fourth on the most wickets list in Test cricket. The 37-year old great will look to overtake record of 619 wickets of another great, India’s Anil Kumble. If that happens, only Shane Warne and Muralitharan will be ahead of him.
Fans are all excited to finally see him in action in the Test series in South Africa. Hopefully this time he will play all the four Tests.
This England tour of South Africa 2019-20 will last from December 2019 to February 2020. And will include four Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.
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