Ashes 2021: Jos Buttler returns, no Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer – After months of negotiations and going back and forth, England are set to tour Australia for Ashes 2021. But they will still be a lean squad as Joe Root & Co will miss Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer for the Ashes tour. However, the good news is that Jos Buttler will be available for the tour.
England Men’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood on Sunday named a 17-player squad for the Ashes tour of Australia starting in November. All 17 players have been capped at Test level and is the strongest available squad selected by Silverwood. Ten of the 17 will be touring Australia in an Ashes series for the first time, including vice-captain Jos Buttler.
Ashes 2021: Jos Buttler returns but no Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer as England announce squad for long Ashes tour to Australia
Ashes 2021: England Squad: Joe Root (Captain), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
“Nottinghamshire seamer Stuart Broad, who is to embark on his fourth Ashes tour, is making excellent progress from his torn right calf sustained in the summer during the Test series against India. Next week, he is set to return to bowling at The ECB Performance Centre in Loughborough, where the Ashes and Lions squads will prepare for the Australia tour,” ECB said in a statement on Sunday.
All-rounder Sam Curran was not considered for selection after a second scan has confirmed that he has a stress fracture in his lower back. More detail regarding his management and likely return will follow after further specialist consultation. He also missed the playoffs stage in the IPL 2021 with the injury.
Ashes 2021: Jos Buttler returns but no Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer as England announce squad for long Ashes tour to Australia
Ashes 2021: Durham’s Ben Stokes was not available for selection and continues to take an indefinite break from all cricket to prioritise his mental wellbeing and rehabilitation from his injured left index finger.
However, announcing the squad will not be the end to the Ashes 2021 saga as ECB and Joe Root & Co agreed to the tour on the conditions that their families will be able to travel with them. Cricket Australia must adhere to the conditions and only then the tour in November will go ahead.
“A tour of Australia is the pinnacle as an England Test cricketer. I am delighted that all of our available players have committed to the tour. We are looking forward to touring and enjoying the experience of this historic series,” England coach Chris Silverwood said.
Ashes 2021: “This is why we play and coach to be involved in iconic series like this. More than half of our squad haven’t featured in an Ashes tour before, which means we will be fresh and looking to embrace the cricket and the excitement of touring one of the best places in the world.
“I believe we have selected a well-balanced squad with options in all areas and a blend of youth and experience. There is real competition for places and a genuine desire to work hard and compete, aiming to create some history.
Ashes 2021: “We are under no illusions about how difficult the task is going to be. Australia have been strong at home in the past, and there is an expectation on them to win this series. However, from our point of view, there is genuine excitement and belief that we can do something special.
Ashes 2021: Jos Buttler returns but no Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer as England announce squad for long Ashes tour to Australia
“Both teams are in similar positions in the Test world rankings. For that reason, it should be a compelling series. We can enjoy the build-up to the tour, get out there, and prepare well ahead of the first Test in Brisbane.
Ashes 2021 Schedule:
November 2021
November 4: Test specialists and Lions depart.
December 2021
8-12 December: 1st Test, Australia v England, Gabba, Brisbane
16-20 December: 2nd Test, Australia v England (D/N), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
26-30 December: 3rd Test, Australia v England, MCG, Melbourne
January 2022
5-9 January: 4th Test, Australia v England, SCG, Sydney
14-18 January: 5th Test, Australia v England, Optus Stadium, Perth
