New posts sign in menu 

Cricket News

England name unchanged 14man squad for first Pakistan Test

by  Rob Johnston  •  Last updated on 2020-07-29 21:50:00
England have named an unchanged 14man squad as well as four reserve players for the first Test against Pakistan which begins next Wednesday (August 5) at Emirates Old TraffordAll six of the fastbowlers who played a part in the series victory over West Indies have been retained in the squad alongside Dom Bess as the sole spinner Bess county teammate Jack Leach has been named as one of four reserve players who will be included in the biosecure bubble to cover for injuries or illnessThere is no place for Joe Denly dropped after the first Test defeat against West Indies at the Ageas Bowl in either the full squad or the reserves Gloucestershires James Bracey and Essexs Dan Lawrence will provide batting cover to the main squad while Surreys Ben Foakes has been chosen as the backup wicketkeeper in the reserve listGiven the domestic season begins at the weekend with the start of the Bob Willis Trophy there may be some rotation of the reserve list as the series goes on in order to allow the likes of Leach and Foakes to get some game time with their countiesThe 18 players were allowed to head home for a few days straight after the conclusion of the final Test against West Indies to spend with their families They will assemble at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday (August 2) ahead of the a href=cricketseries2888pakistantourofengland2020matchesthreeTest series against PakistanCommenting on the selection of the squad National Selector Ed Smith said: "After three Tests in quick succession against the West Indies we now turn to an equally condensed Test series against Pakistan with 15 days of Test cricket scheduled in a threeweek period Our 14man squad is unchanged"County cricket now restarts on Saturday 1st August We want to have sufficient reserves inside the biosecure Test match bubble but we may also want to give opportunities where possible for the reserves to play county cricket As we seek the best balance here England may make changes to the reserves during the threematch series against Pakistan"