Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root have been selected in England’s squad for the first Specsavers Ashes Test match at Edgbaston, with the latter set to captain the side for the first time in an Ashes series on home shores.

England National Cricket Selectors have named a 14-strong squad for the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test match against Australia at Edgbaston starting on Thursday, August 1.

England first Test squad versus Australia:

Joe Root (Yorkshire) captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
Jimmy Anderson (Lancashire)
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Jason Roy (Surrey)
Ben Stokes (Durham) vice-captain
Olly Stone (Warwickshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

After impressing in England’s successful ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer is called up to the Test squad for the first time. The 24-year-old returned to action for Sussex last night in the Vitality Blast after a sore left side. His readiness for five-day cricket will be assessed at Edgbaston.
Since making his senior debut in 2016, Archer has played 28 first-class matches taking 131 wickets at 23.44.

Lancashire batsman Jos Buttler and Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes return to the Test squad having been rested for the Ireland Test at Lord’s.

Commenting on the selection of the squad, National Selector Ed Smith, said: “Though it is unusual to select a squad of 14 for a home Test, there are compelling reasons to do so here. Several bowlers are recovering from injuries or niggles. In addition, some bowlers who played in the World Cup are being closely monitored to assess their preparation for Test match cricket.

“The wider circumstances – a successful home World Cup campaign followed so quickly by a home Ashes series – are unprecedented. It feels sensible to select an expanded squad and leave a number of bowling options open for the final team selection.”

The squad will report to Birmingham on Monday.

The Ashes schedule

1st Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 1-5 August 2019, Edgbaston
2nd Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 14-18 August 2019, Lord’s
3rd Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 22-26 August 2019, Emerald Headingley
4th Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 4-8 September 2019, Emirates Old Trafford
5th Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 12-16 September 2019, Kia Oval

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