For the forthcoming ODI series against Pakistan, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named a new 18-man team. The decision follows the isolation of the entire ODI team playing against Sri Lanka after 3 players and 4 management members tested positive for COVID-19. Ben Stokes is expected to head the team, with up to 9 players receiving their first request to the national team. England announce new 18-member squad.

England Announce New 18 Player Squad For Pakistan Series After COVID Hit

Chris Silverwood, the team’s head coach, has returned to duty ahead of the first ODI on July 8. The ECB had to make many adjustments, including pulling players from the current County Championship round in order to place them in a new bio-bubble and have them examined.

James Vince, Ben Duckett, and Dawid Malan, among others, have been able to return to the team as a result of the new lineup. Malan participated in the ODI series against India in Pune previously this year, while Vince represented at home in the 2019 World Cup. Duckett, on the other hand, hasn’t played an ODI since 2016, so this is an excellent opportunity for him to reclaim his spot on the international stage.

For the first time in ODIs, England will be led by Ben Stokes

“It’s a great opportunity to play on the biggest stage, and for most of the players selected it’s not necessarily something they would have been expecting 24 hours ago. It’s an exciting group of players, with some young talent and some players who have impressed at a domestic level over a long period of time,” MD of England Men’s Cricket, Ashley Giles said in a press release.

Furthermore, for the first time in his career, Ben Stokes will captain England in the 50-over format. He was not named in the initial Pakistan ODI team, and it was believed that he would not play many games over the summer in Pakistan. After returning from injury, he was participating for Durham in the T20 Blast, but the exceptional circumstances have compelled him to return.

“We’re in unprecedented territory, in terms of replacing an entire squad and management team, and I’m very proud of how everyone has come together in order to get it done – both those within the ECB and from the county game.

“Ben hasn’t captained our ODI side before so it’s a huge honour for him. We all wish him well and it’s a role I’m sure he’ll thrive in. I’d like to also put on record the thanks of the ECB to the PCB for their support and understanding during this time,” Giles added.

England Team for PAK ODIs: England announce new 18-member squad. Ben Stokes (C), Jake Ball, Danny Briggs, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley,  Lewis Gregory, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Lawrence, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Matt Parkinson, David Payne, John Simpson, Phil Salt, James Vince.

 

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