Kent batsman Zak Crawley has been named in the 17 man England Test squad that will face Australia for the Ashes this winter.
Crawley is one of a number of batsmen that will be competing for a place in the starting eleven against the Aussies and comes just days after he was awarded an ECB central contract after some fine performances for both Kent and England in the past eighteen months.
All 17 players have been capped at Test level and is the strongest available squad selected by Silverwood. Ten of the 17 will be touring Australia in an Ashes series for the first time, including vice-captain Jos Buttler.
England Men’s Test Squad – Ashes Tour ofAustralia 2021-22:
Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Dom Bess (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)
Nottinghamshire seamer Stuart Broad, who is to embark on his fourth Ashes tour, is making excellent progress from his torn right calf sustained in the summer during the Test series against India. Next week, he is set to return to bowling at The ECB Performance Centre in Loughborough, where the Ashes and Lions squads will prepare for the Australia tour.
Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran was not considered for selection after a second scan has confirmed that he has a stress fracture in his lower back. More detail regarding his management and likely return will follow after further specialist consultation.
Durham’s Ben Stokes was not available for selection and continues to take an indefinite break from all cricket to prioritise his mental wellbeing and rehabilitation from his injured left index finger.
As confirmed on Friday, the Ashes tour is subject to several critical conditions being met by Cricket Australia before the team travels in November. However, positive ongoing discussions continue, and it is hoped matters will be resolved in due course.
Commenting on the squad, England Men’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood, said:
“A tour of Australia is the pinnacle as an England Test cricketer. I am delighted that all of our available players have committed to the tour. We are looking forward to touring and enjoying the experience of this historic series.
“This is why we play and coach to be involved in iconic series like this. More than half of our squad haven’t featured in an Ashes tour before, which means we will be fresh and looking to embrace the cricket and the excitement of touring one of the best places in the world.
“I believe we have selected a well-balanced squad with options in all areas and a blend of youth and experience. There is real competition for places and a genuine desire to work hard and compete, aiming to create some history.
“We are under no illusions about how difficult the task is going to be. Australia have been strong at home in the past, and there is an expectation on them to win this series. However, from our point of view, there is genuine excitement and belief that we can do something special.
“Both teams are in similar positions in the Test world rankings. For that reason, it should be a compelling series. We can enjoy the build-up to the tour, get out there, and prepare well ahead of the first Test in Brisbane.
“Having the Lions with the Ashes squad will be integral to our build-up. The extended group of players will be with us before the first Test. We will play two competitive warm-up games amongst both squads to give us the match practice we need as part of our build-up. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect the Lions into the England environment and gain a good understanding of what is required to play at the highest level.”
The Lions party for the Australian training camp will be announced in due course.
England’s Test specialists and the Lions squad are set to depart, subject to conditions being granted, on Thursday 4 November.
Players selected, who are part of England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, will join the tour after their tournament commitments.
Dates and venues for England’s warm-up matches against the Lions will be confirmed and released by Cricket Australia in due course. There will be a three-day and a four-day match planned.
England’s Ashes tour of Australia 2021-22 Itinerary (subject to change):
November 2021
4 November:
Test specialists and Lions depart.
December 2021
8-12 December:
1st Test, Australia v England, Gabba, Brisbane
16-20 December:
2nd Test, Australia v England (D/N), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
26-30 December:
3rd Test, Australia v England, MCG, Melbourne
January 2022
5-9 January:
4th Test, Australia v England, SCG, Sydney
14-18 January:
5th Test, Australia v England, Optus Stadium, Perth