England name Ballance, Rankin and Stokes in Ashes Squad

Tags: England tour of Australia, 2013 -14

Published on: Sep 24, 2013

England has announced a 17-man squad for the upcoming Ashes Test series in Australia which includes three rookies in Gary Ballance, Boyd Rankin and Ben Stokes.

By BV Swagath

England has announced a 17-man squad for the upcoming Ashes Test series in Australia which includes three rookies in Gary Ballance, Boyd Rankin and Ben Stokes. All the three players had played for England in the limited overs version in the recent past and it is their first big opportunity at the Test level. Surprisingly, the Selectors have also included opener Michael Carberry, who played one Test for England in the past against Bangladesh. Monty Panesar, whose England place was in doubt after the urination incident, has been given a lifeline by the Selectors.

Gary Ballance is a left-handed batsman who plays for Yorkshire. The 23-year old was born in Zimbabwe and has gone onto play for the country at the Under 19 level. Ballance had recently played for England in an ODI against Ireland in which he unfortunately got out for a duck. Boyd Rankin as we know is a tall fast bowler who has played for Ireland in World Cup and has recently made his England debut at the ODI and T20I levels. The third rookie is Ben Stokes, who is a pace-bowling all-rounder. The 22-year-old plays for Durham and has made his name at the international level by taking 5 for 61 against Australia in the Southampton ODI recently.

Six players who were not part of the Ashes Series at home have been selected for the Australia tour which also includes tall fast bowler Chris Tremlett. All-rounder Tim Bresnan misses out because of an injury.

The opening Ashes Test starts from 21st of November at the Gabbba. England starts its tour with a 3-day game from the 31st of October at Perth against Western Australia.

Commenting on the 17-man squad, National selector, Geoff Miller according to the ECB website, said: “We are fully aware that the Ashes series will once again be fiercely contested and that this squad will need to work extremely hard and play to a very high level to retain the Ashes and we believe we have selected a squad capable of doing just that.

"As we have seen in previous series we will need all members of the squad ready to step up and make vital contributions throughout the five Tests and we feel that all 17 players have the ability to do that.

"There is real competition for places with both bat and ball and we feel that we have provided Andy Flower and Alastair Cook with a well balanced squad.

“Tim Bresnan has not been named in the squad and is continuing his recovery from a stress fracture in his back. He will travel to Australia with the squad to maximise his rehab opportunities with the medical team and coaches who will monitor his progress.”

England Squad: Alastair Cook (C), Matt Prior (WK), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Michael Carberry, Steven Finn, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Boyd Rankin, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, Jonathan Trottnity at the Test level. Surprisingly, the Selectors have also included opener Michael Carberry, who played one Test for England in the past against Bangladesh. Monty Panesar, whose England place was in doubt after the urination incident, has been given a lifeline by the Selectors.

Six players who were not part of the Ashes Series at home have been selected for the Australia tour which also includes tall fast bowler Chris Tremlett. All-rounder Tim Bresnan misses out because of an injury.

Commenting on the 17-man squad, National selector, Geoff Miller according to the ECB website, said: “We are fully aware that the Ashes series will once again be fiercely contested and that this squad will need to work extremely hard and play to a very high level to retain the Ashes and we believe we have selected a squad capable of doing just that.

"As we have seen in previous series we will need all members of the squad ready to step up and make vital contributions throughout the five Tests and we feel that all 17 players have the ability to do that.

"There is real competition for places with both bat and ball and we feel that we have provided Andy Flower and Alastair Cook with a well balanced squad.

“Tim Bresnan has not been named in the squad and is continuing his recovery from a stress fracture in his back. He will travel to Australia with the squad to maximise his rehab opportunities with the medical team and coaches who will monitor his progress."

England Squad: Alastair Cook (C), Matt Prior (WK), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Michael Carberry, Steven Finn, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Boyd Rankin, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, Jonathan Trott

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