England vs Pakistan: ECB announces 16-man squad for ODI series, Ben Stokes absent

England have named an unchanged 16-member squad for the three One Day Internationals against Pakistan. The series gets underway in Cardiff on July 8. Led by Eoin Morgan, the side continues to miss Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, who are nursing finger and elbow injuries respectively.

Jos Buttler, who injured his calf during the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka, and was subsequently ruled out of the last two fixtures of the three-match series, is also missing from the squad, while Somerset batter Tom Banton, who has been called in as Dawid Malan’s cover for England’s final clash against Sri Lanka, has been included.

Sussex’s left-arm pacer George Garton, who received his maiden national call-up during the Sri Lanka series, has retained his spot alongside pacers Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, David Willey and both Sam and Tom Curran.

It is understood that the squad for the three-match T20I series, which follows the three ODIs, will be announced later. The ODIs will be played on July 8, 10 and 13 in Cardiff, London and Birmingham respectively, while the three T20Is will be played on July 16, 18 and 20 in Nottingham, Leeds and Manchester.

Lord’s ODI to be played amid a full capacity crowd

Owing to the improving situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, the second ODI of the series has been earmarked as a part of the England government’s research progamme, and is set to operate at a full capacity of 31,100. Notably, the Lord’s operated at 25% capacity last month during England’s two-match Test series against New Zealand, while Edgbaston, the venue of the second Test, was allowed to fill up to 70% (18,000 members).

Being at full capacity, the authorities are ensuring that there is no lapse in the security measures, which is why every member must ensure to carry proof of vaccination or natural immunity along with a negative Covid-19 test report to gain entry in the venue.

England ODI squad for Pakistan series: Eoin Morgan (Captain), Moeen Ali Jonny Bairstow Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, George Garton, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood