Sports Bulletin Report
London (UK):-The England Men's selection panel have named a 15-strong squad for the Test match against Ireland, which will be started from June 1, 2023 at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batter Jonathan Bairstow is now fully fit, following his broken left leg and dislocated ankle, and is back with England for the first time since last August.
Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes returns to the Test squad for the first time since March 2022, and if selected, this will be his first Test appearance on home soil since August 2020.
After taking a break from the tour of New Zealand, Durham fast bowler Mark Wood is back in the squad. Surrey batter Ollie Pope has been officially confirmed as England’s vice-captain with immediate effect.
Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the rest of the summer after recent scans revealed he has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow. He will now spend time with the England and Sussex medical teams, who will work on his injury management.
ECB Managing Director, Rob Key said:
"We are looking forward to the summer ahead and getting into the swing of things, starting with a good test against Ireland.
“It was a seriously tough decision to leave Ben Foakes out of the squad. He has been excellent for England in the last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about.
“It has been a 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 recovery. I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than later. I would like to wish the players every success, especially those returning after some time away."
England Men's Test Squad:
Ben Stokes (Durham-Captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham)
