England named a 16-man squad for the first two Tests. Josh Tongue, who earned his international debut against Ireland, is still on the team.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 16-man squad for the first two Ashes Tests in 2023. Notably, the selection committee has picked an unchanged side from the one-off Test against Ireland at London’s Lord’s Cricket Ground.
After the one-off Test against Ireland, the English red-ball contingent will fly to Birmingham on Monday, June 12. The team will begin practice sessions at Edgbaston on Tuesday, June 13, after reporting to the venue.
Notably, veteran pacer James Anderson, who recently suffered a’mild strain’ in his right groin, has been placed in the lineup. Furthermore, despite being part of the team against Ireland. The ECB did not risk the veteran bowler during the one-off Test. Instead keeping him on the bench to fully recover for the important English summer.
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Ben Stokes will captain the team despite injury worries, with Ollie Pope serving as Vice Captain.
As named in the one-off Test against Ireland, skipper Ben Stokes will continue to lead the side, with Ollie Pope as vice-captain. Josh Tongue, who made his international debut against Ireland, joins Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, and spinner Jack Leach in the squad. On the other hand, wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has been ignored by the selectors yet again and will be forced to watch from the stands.
The Three Lions will face archrivals Australia in the opening Test, which will take place on June 16 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The second Test will be contested at Lord’s in London on June 28. It is worth noting that the selectors will most likely settle on their setup for the remaining Test matches during the first two Ashes 2023 contests.
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, and Josh Tongue are the England squad for the first two Ashes Tests.
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