Jos Buttler, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer have been recalled to England’s T20I and ODI squads for the forthcoming series against Australia, but there is no return for the Test captain Joe Root, nor for Jason Roy, who has not yet recovered from a side strain.
England’s two white-ball squads also include a recall for Sam Curran, who was not considered for selection against Pakistan after being a part of the Test bubble, while Tom Banton has been retained in both formats after impressing with a hard-hitting half-century in the first T20I against Pakistan.
Dawid Malan has been retained in the T20I squad after his matchwinning 54 not out in the second T20I on Saturday, and Sam Billings is also involved in both squads after his starring role in the 2-1 series win against Ireland last month.
Saqib Mahmood, England’s quickest bowler in the Pakistan T20Is, makes way for the return of Wood and Archer, for whom the recall offers a first taste of international white-ball cricket since his starring role in the World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord’s last summer. Mahmood will remain with the squad as a reserve, alongside Liam Livingstone in the T20I squad, and Joe Denly in the ODI squad.
The Australia series is the first time that England have been able to select their strongest available white-ball squads since the South Africa tour in February, with the selectors operating separate Test and one-day squads throughout the summer due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“These two series against Australia provide an exciting end to the summer,” said Ed Smith, England’s national selector. “We have selected strong squads. We are also continuing to develop depth in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cups.”
England had hoped to be able to turn to Roy once again, after he was rested for the Pakistan series as a precaution. However, the ECB have confirmed he will not be ready for the T20I leg of the Australia series, starting at the Ageas Bowl on September 4.
He will stay in the team’s bio-secure environment, with a view to demonstrating his fitness for the ODIs which begin at Emirates Old Trafford on September 11.
Moeen Ali, who has struggled for form since his return to England availability, has been retained in both squads. However, Ben Stokes remains unavailable for selection after being granted compassionate leave to visit his father in New Zealand, following his cancer diagnosis.
England T20I squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
Reserves: Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood
England ODI Squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Reserves: Joe Denly, Saqib Mahmood.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo