ECB name 3 uncapped players for Bangladesh tour

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced the 17-man Test and 15-member One-Day International (ODI) squad for the tour of Bangladesh. Three uncapped players – Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari, Ben Duckett, and 19-years old Haseeb Hameed have been included in the Test team while the selectors showed a lot of courage by drafting back 38-year old off-spinner Gareth Batty in the squad.

It was 11 years ago in 2005 that Batty last appeared in a Test for England against Bangladesh at Chester-le-Sreet. However, he picked up 41 wickets in the ongoing County Championship season with an average 31.21 to earn a callback. Hameed, on the other hand, has been picked after opener Alex Hales pulled out of the tour due to security concern. He has been in prime form in the summer having scored 1154 runs at an average of 52.45.

In absence of limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan who decided to back off from the tour concerned about the security in Bangladesh wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has been escalated to the captaincy role. They have also decided to give Joe Root a breather during the ODI series.

On the announcement of the squad James Whitaker, National Selector said: “After a summer of progress at home across all formats, we can expect another test of our credentials this autumn.

Also read – India-New Zealand Kanpur Test may see a scarce turnout

“The challenge we face will be very different and the structure of our squads reflects the conditions we expect to encounter in Bangladesh.

“Haseeb Hameed, for someone so young, has had an impressive season in the Specsavers County Championship with Lancashire. He has been a consistent performer and his four centuries, against some of the best bowling attacks in the country are testament to his outstanding temperament and attitude. We feel he fully deserves an opportunity to compete for a place at the top of the order in our Test side.

“Ben Duckett merits his call-up to both squads after showing his qualities as an attacking batsman, both in the county game and for the England Lions. Throughout the campaign, he has scored heavily for Northamptonshire in First-class cricket including two double hundreds. His 220 not out for the England Lions in a 50-over game against Sri Lanka A earlier this summer was very special and we look forward to seeing Ben continue his development at the highest level in the game.

“Selecting four spinners for the Test matches will give the coaches and captain plenty of options. Alongside Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, we are excited about the qualities that Zafar Ansari and Gareth Batty bring to the squad. Zafar has great potential both with bat and ball and Gareth’s experience as one of the country’s best slow bowlers and his ability to be effective in subcontinent conditions will be beneficial this winter.”

Also read – Ross Taylor reckons that the sweep will be a profitable shot

The ECB has also made changes in the team management as Ottis Gibson comes in as the assistant coach for the ODI series to replace Paul Farbrace. Steve Rhodes, Director of Cricket at Worcestershire will also assist the management during the 2-Test series in Bangladesh.

Along with that former England ODI skipper Paul Collingwood and Andy Hurry, the head coach of the England Under-19 team will be a part of the touring party and will assist the management during the ODI series.

England Test squad for Bangladesh tour:

Alastair Cook (C), Haseeb Hameed, Joe Root, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Jos Buttler, Steve Finn, Mark Wood, Gareth Batty, Zafar Ansari, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid and Ben Duckett

England ODI squad for Bangladesh tour:

Jos Buttler (C), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood

Also read – I think Indian team will do well in Kumble’s guidance: Muttiah Muralitharan