England rest Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer for Sri Lanka tour, both players available for India series

England chief selector Ed Smith said that it was important to give rest to all-rounder Ben Stokes and fast bowler Jofra Archer, both of whom are multi-format players

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England rest Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer for Sri Lanka tour, both players available for India series
All-rounder Ben Stokes and pacer Jofra Archer have been rested for the series. (Reuters Photo)

In Short

  • All-rounder Moeen Ali was included in the Test squad for the first time since 2019
  • Wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow has been recalled after being dropped a year ago
  • Rory Burns will miss the Sri Lanka tour as his wife is expecting their first child in January

England on Friday announced a 16-player squad for the tour of Sri Lanka scheduled early next month, and all-rounder Ben Stokes and pacer Jofra Archer have been rested for the series.

Both players will return for the series in India in February 2021. England also named seven reserve players for the Sri Lanka series starting on January 14.

The reasoning behind the resting of the two players was to be able to give a break to both multi-format players, ECB said.

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“There must be room for sensible rotation in and out of the squad,” chief selector Ed Smith told reporters.

“Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer and those who are multi-format players will have blocks of rest. It’s impossible for people to go straight through six Tests.”

Ben Stokes is also mourning the death of his father Ged who died of brain cancer this week.

Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow recalled

All-rounder Moeen Ali, 33, was included in the test squad for the first time since 2019 while wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow was recalled after being dropped a year ago.

Smith said it was an opportunity for other players such as Bairstow who is keen to re-establish himself in the test squad.

“Jonny has missed out on selection over the last year but this felt like the right moment with his pedigree playing spin in Asia, it’s the perfect moment for him.”

As well as Stokes and Archer, Surrey batsman Rory Burns will miss the Sri Lanka tour as his wife is expecting their first child in January.

Ollie Pope will join the squad and continue his rehab from a shoulder injury in readiness for the four-match test series against India starting in February.

England depart for Sri Lanka on January 2 and will play both Tests at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, the first starting on January 14 and the second on January 22. Both Tests will be behind closed doors.

England Test squad:

Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Reserves: James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.