5 months ago. Brisbane QLD, Australia

Ashes: Ben Stokes returns as England name 12-man squad for Brisbane Test

#Ashes2021 #EnglandCricketTeam #AustralianCricketTeam

The first Test between Australia and England will start on December 8
James Anderson and Jonny Bairstow have been rested for the first Test
Ben Stokes has returned to the England squad after mental health break

On the eve of the first Test of the five-match Ashes series, England named a 12-man squad for the Brisbane game against Australia. England will be without their pace ace James Anderson and batter Jonny Bairstow for the opening Test due to ECB’s precautionary measure. But Ben Stokes, who had taken a break from cricket citing mental health issues earlier this year, has been included in the squad.

Also Read: What are the Ashes? Test cricket’s original rivalry

Talking about Anderson’s absence from the first Test, England’s vice-captain Jos Buttler said, “Jimmy's not going to play but he is fit. It's just precautionary”.

Ollie Pope, meanwhile, has been preferred over senior batter Jonny Bairstow, while young Haseeb Hameed will open the innings with Rory Burns. Pope, who has played 20 Tests for England, impressed against India, playing a gritty 81 in the fourth Test at the Oval in London last summer. On the other hand, Bairstow struggled to get going with just one fifty-plus score in the 4 matches against India.

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement that the "final XI will be confirmed at the toss" in Brisbane.

Also Read: James Anderson sits out first Ashes Test to prepare for pink-ball

Dawid Malan has also been included in the 12-man squad and he might get an opportunity in the XI. Although England batting department looks quite settled, the only call that skipper Joe Root probably will have to take at the toss in Brisbane is whether to go with four or three pacers as England also have a left-arm spinner, Jack Leach, in the 12-man squad.

On Sunday, newly-appointed Australia skipper Pat Cummins announced his playing XI for the Ashes opener.

Also Read: Ashes: Australia's Alex Carey 'feeling the love' ahead of Test debut at Gabba

The last Ashes series took place in 2019 and resulted in a 2-2 draw, the first since 1972.

England squad for the first Ashes Test

Joe Root (c), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

#Ashes2021 #EnglandCricketTeam #AustralianCricketTeam #BenStokes #JamesAnderson #JoeRoot

Ashes: Ben Stokes returns as England name 12-man squad for Brisbane Test

Trending on Opoyi