England have announced a 16-man squad for the 2017-18 Ashes series on Wednesday evening (AEST) with Ben Stokes retained despite alleged off-field issues and a host of fresh faces, including three debutants, making their appearance.
Stokes was arrested on suspicion of alleged assault during the week, but was released under investigation with no charge recorded.
England took the decision to drop him from their fourth ODI against the West Indies, which is being played on Wednesday, but have left him in the Ashes squad and retained his position as vice-captain.
Top order batsmen Gary Ballance and James Vince have been recalled to the side after being dropped for the recent Test series against the West Indies, who the Poms sensationally lost the second Test too, but took the series 2-1.
Quick Jake Ball has also been re-called to the side, with Toby Rolland-Jones making way. However, it would be assumed that Chris Woakes will take the third seamer spot after battling injury during the home summer.
“A tour of Australia is the ultimate test for our squad. We have provided Joe Root and Trevor Bayliss with a well-balanced squad with options in all areas,” England Selector James Whitaker said.
“After a successful summer, having won the Test series against South Africa and West Indies, there is real competition for places and we have selected a squad that will work hard and compete against Australia, aiming to win the Ashes.
Jonny Bairstow has been retained as the wicket-keeper for the side, but he will have a back-up in debutant Ben Foakes. England will take three uncapped players to Australia, with Foakes being joined by paceman Craig Overton and young spinner Mason Crane.
It’s been questioned by Hampshire cricket chairman Rod Bransgrove whether Crane was ready, however the selectors have put a show of faith in the youngster, who will only get a start should incumbent spinner Moeen Ali struggle or pick up an injury.
“Surrey’s Ben Foakes deserves his selection for the first time at this level. His glovework has been exemplary and he is regarded as a wicketkeeper of the highest quality. He has the ability to contribute with the bat scoring over 680 runs in the Championship this summer at an average of 45.33,” said Whitaker
“Craig Overton, who like Foakes has come through the International Pathway, has been involved in the England set-up this summer with the Lions and the IT20 squad. He will now get his chance at Test level.”
The Ashes get underway on November 23 with the first Test to be played at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes
1. Alastair Cook
2. Mark Stoneman
3. Gary Ballance
4. Joe Root (c)
5. Dawid Malan
6. Ben Stokes
7. Jonny Bairstow
8. Moeen Ali
9. Stuart Broad
10. Chris Woakes
11. James Anderson
Roarers, what do you make of the England side for the 2017-18 Ashes tour of Australia? Drop a comment below and let us know.
Gormon Kinchley
Guest
He'll be in Australia in the summer. he won't need to be sledged because he will have set on fire from sunburn.
Curious George
Guest
and what about the Australian XI ????
Curious George
Guest
Stokes should be banned for 6 months cos of his bad boy behaviour Will he? No. This is soft by the ECB. Will the pommy coppers book the dog? No. They won't. Stokes will come here to Aus and pump and plunder each test. He is a thug and a dandy.
Bucks
Guest
1 Cook 2 Stoneman 3 Root (c) 4 Ballance 5 Bairstow 6 Stokes 7 Foakes (wk) 8 Moeen 9 Woakes 10 Broad 11 Anderson
BurgyGreen
Guest
Yeah it's insane, Crane can't even get regular games for his county side.
Jarijari
Roar Rookie
On that note, what's the best way to sledge Slugger Stokes?
Jarijari
Roar Rookie
Stoked, folks, if our quicks get through the series, just need a bit of Ballance with the Ball. But if not we're Cooked and Rooted.
Nev
Guest
I think he is injured. But yes, still unlucky.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Rolland-Jones very unlucky
Nudge
Guest
Yep, I think Foakes is almost a certainty to debut first test at the Gabba. He's probably in the top 6 bats in England and apparently he's the best gloveman in the country. If England have 3 of Ballance, Stoneman, Malan and Vince in the top 5 they are going to get torched. I'd have two in the top 4 and Bairstow playing purely as a batsman at 5.
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
Just had a look at cranes county number for this season 16 wickets at 43.93 from 7 games, Liam Dawson plays for the same county 31 wickets at 26.09 from 10 games.
BurgyGreen
Guest
If Ballance plays he'll get flambéed by Starc.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Actually, I'd probably put Moeen at 5 and bring in Overton at 9.
AREH
Roar Guru
Interesting. That half-century probably saved Stoneman against WI. Not sure why they've bothered persisting with Malan in the squad, but I doubt he will actually play. Their batting is quite honestly pretty brittle outside Root, Cook and Bairstow - even Stokes (assuming he plays) is very hit and miss despite his quality. They're going to be relying on dominance from Root, vintage Cook performances on his Australian Ashes swansong, and plenty of runs from Bairstow. I think the prospect of two of Stoneman, Ballance, Vince or Malan in the England top six will leave the Australian pace attack licking their lips. And as for Stokes, Foakes and Woakes? Make it happen!
dangertroy
Roar Rookie
Lillee, caught Willey, bowled Dilley.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Brilliant.
dangertroy
Roar Rookie
Aren't you tempted to drop Moeen to 9 so the batting card goes Stokes, Foakes, Woakes?
dangertroy
Roar Rookie
Actually a somewhat surprising they picked three debutants for the tour. Foakes is the backup gloveman naturally, but they have a funny habit of being needed in ashes tours. Crane seems like a bench warmer, might get a look in for Sydney or if Moeen is injured. Overton too, unless England pick 37 quick's like they did time they toured. The problem is still the 'middle order', mainly that they bat them too low. Stokes Bairstow and Moeen could bat 4-6 rather than 6-8. To my mind, they should move Moeen to 5, bat Root at 3, and then only have one passenger at 4. And Vince and Ballance are definitely passengers. I really haven't seen enough of Malan, I thought he was more of a short form player but seems to have done ok so far. This sort of configuration let's the bat woakes at 8 and pick three other bowlers, or bring foakes in and let Bairstow concentrate on batting. 1 Cook 2 Stoneman 3 Root 4 Malan 5 Moeen 6 Stokes 7 Bairstow 8 Woakes 9 Broad 10 Ball 11 Anderson Looks strong on paper. But we will see. Here's my bet - the side playing in Sydney will feature at least one player from outside the squad and 3 who didn't play the first match.
BurgyGreen
Guest
None of Malan, Stoneman, Ballance or Vince will give us any cause for concern. England should really have punted on at least one fresh batsman. Mason Crane is also a poor choice as the second spinner. Jack Leach has a much better record and county form. Foakes is a good player but unfortunately it looks like he'll warm the bench. England should give him the gloves and bat Bairstow at 4. From this squad, I'd be playing: 1. Stoneman 2. Cook 3. Root (c) 4. Bairstow 5. Malan 6. Stokes 7. Foakes (wk) 8. Moeen 9. Woakes 10. Broad 11. Anderson