England Cricket Board has announced 16-man squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lankan after two days of announcing squad for the ODI series against the same opponent.
Olly Stone who received maiden call up to the ODI squad couple of days ago, has also received his maiden call up in the team in the longest format of the game. Stone has had his injury problems in the past but he has been a consistent performer for Warwickshire this season and has impressed with his raw pace and aggression.
Stone will be joined by Sam Curran, player of the series against India, and Chris Woakes, while England have decided against resting either James Anderson or Stuart Broad.
In the spin bowling department Somerset’s left-arm spinner Jack Leach is also included alongside Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. The selection will allow Joe Root to play with three spinners in the rank turners in Sri Lanka.
Keaton Jennings has been retained in the squad after his poor run against India in the recently concluded home series. Two openers have been named in the squad for replacing the former skipper Alastai Cook who retires after Indian Test series.
Surrey’s opening batsman Rory Burns has been called in to the squad as an opener for the three match Test series along side with another opening batsman Kent’s Joe Denly. Denly, who can cover the opening positions and also bat in the middle order, played limited-overs cricket for England back in 2009 but has not featured in the international arena since.
England squad for Sri Lankan Test series:
Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Rory Burns, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
