Ben Foakes and Keaton Jennings have earned their recall in England’s Test squad for the first time after one year for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Lancashire opener Jennings and Surrey wicketkeeper-batsman Foakes have dropped from the team after the West Indies tour one year ago.
They had a superb record on the subcontinent and against Sri Lanka. While Jennings’ both Test hundreds in his 17 matches came on subcontinents, Foakes was player of the series in England’s 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in November 2018. Moreover, he made his debut in Galle in November 2018 where he scored a superb hundred.
England’s highest wicket-taker James Anderson will be out as he hasn’t recovered yet from his cracked rib sustained during their recent tour of South Africa. Despite his Test struggles since last year’s World Cup, Jos Buttler has retained his place.
However, Buttler will have to face competition with Foakes for a place in the playing XI in the two-Test series. On the other hand, Moeen Ali was England’s joint-highest wicket-taker on their last visit to Sri Lanka but he will not be available for the series and England will bank on Jack Leach, Dom Bess, and Matt Parkinson as the frontline spinners.
Leach, who took 18 wickets in Sri Lanka 16 months ago, has recovered from an illness and all set to play. Even, Joe Denly has also been retained despite having a not-so-good series in South Africa, where his 210 runs came at an average of 30.
“The selection panel has supported continuity after a successful series victory in South Africa. The South Africa tour marked the emergence of a very exciting group of young players, creating a nice balance with an experienced core of senior players,” national selector Ed Smith said.
“That squad is mostly retained, with some tweaks to the squad relevant to injury, rest and the challenges of playing in sub-continent conditions. Somerset spinner Jack Leach has recovered from his illness he picked up in South Africa and is now healthy and keen to resume his Test career,” he added.
“Jonny Bairstow has been in England squads across the three formats without a significant break. This two-Test tour presents a good opportunity for Jonny to be rested. Moeen Ali is still unavailable for Test selection. The selectors are in consistent dialogue with Moeen and he remains a valued player in England cricket,” he shared.
England squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka:
Joe Root (C), Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood