The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced their 15 man squad on Wednesday for the 2011 World Cup, that is scheduled to begin from 19th of February in the sub-continent.
Matt Prior was named as the squad’s wicketkeeper. Prior’s inclusion in the squad comes as a surprise as he is recalled in the squad after being out of the team for ten months.
Prior’s inclusion in the squad means that he replaces Surrey’s Steve Davies who was expected to go to the subcontinent. He has been in the current One Day squad that is touring Australia. Davies has been performing fairly well with the gloves, scoring 42 runs off 35 balls, although after having four chances in the first ODI in Melbourne. However, the selectors threw in a surprise by making another change behind the stumps.
Andy Flower, the team manager said that it was a “tough” decision to pick Prior as “Davies was picked in our last one-day series and he did okay against Pakistan.”
He explained that Prior was selected due to the sub-continent conditions. He also stated that Prior will be joining the current England squad in Hobart, Australia, where they will be playing their second ODI on Friday. Davies will be staying back in Australia as a back-up for Prior.
“We want Prior to get a few games under his belt before we get out there,” Flower told the media.
Prior, who played in the domestic Twenty20 tournament for Victoria, will be joining the England squad in Hobart to take part in the practice session.
The 28 year old wicketkeeper will be working to strike an opening partnership with Captain Andrew Strauss where he had struggled hard, before losing his place in the team since March 2010.
Prior, who was the part of England’s successful Ashes team, averages just 25.38 in the limited overs format. However, Flower expressed confidence in his abilities saying that he is an aggressive cricketer.
The rest of the 15 man squad was as expected with pace bowler Ajmal Shahzad making the cut. The Kent off-spinner, James Tredwell has been named as the back-up for Graeme Swann who is out of action for up to two weeks due to a knee injury.
Paul Collingwood was back in the squad even though he was omitted in the recent squad for Australia.
“His experience, ODI knowledge, and skills across all three facets of the game make him a valuable member of the squad and he’ll be looking to make a big impact at another global event,” the national selector, Geoff Miller stated.
Luke Wright retained his spot and Stuart Broad returned to the bowling stock of England after recovering from a stomach injury that he suffered during the Ashes series.
Miller said that the Board and the coach are satisfied with the squad and was confident that the squad had the depth to face the challenges that will be put forward during the tournament that runs till April.
England’s World Cup Squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Ian Bell, , Paul Collingwood, Tim Bresnan, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, James Tredwell, Luke Wright, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Michael Yardy, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ajmal Shahzad.
Matt Prior was named as the squad’s wicketkeeper. Prior’s inclusion in the squad comes as a surprise as he is recalled in the squad after being out of the team for ten months.
Prior’s inclusion in the squad means that he replaces Surrey’s Steve Davies who was expected to go to the subcontinent. He has been in the current One Day squad that is touring Australia. Davies has been performing fairly well with the gloves, scoring 42 runs off 35 balls, although after having four chances in the first ODI in Melbourne. However, the selectors threw in a surprise by making another change behind the stumps.
Andy Flower, the team manager said that it was a “tough” decision to pick Prior as “Davies was picked in our last one-day series and he did okay against Pakistan.”
He explained that Prior was selected due to the sub-continent conditions. He also stated that Prior will be joining the current England squad in Hobart, Australia, where they will be playing their second ODI on Friday. Davies will be staying back in Australia as a back-up for Prior.
“We want Prior to get a few games under his belt before we get out there,” Flower told the media.
Prior, who played in the domestic Twenty20 tournament for Victoria, will be joining the England squad in Hobart to take part in the practice session.
The 28 year old wicketkeeper will be working to strike an opening partnership with Captain Andrew Strauss where he had struggled hard, before losing his place in the team since March 2010.
Prior, who was the part of England’s successful Ashes team, averages just 25.38 in the limited overs format. However, Flower expressed confidence in his abilities saying that he is an aggressive cricketer.
The rest of the 15 man squad was as expected with pace bowler Ajmal Shahzad making the cut. The Kent off-spinner, James Tredwell has been named as the back-up for Graeme Swann who is out of action for up to two weeks due to a knee injury.
Paul Collingwood was back in the squad even though he was omitted in the recent squad for Australia.
“His experience, ODI knowledge, and skills across all three facets of the game make him a valuable member of the squad and he’ll be looking to make a big impact at another global event,” the national selector, Geoff Miller stated.
Luke Wright retained his spot and Stuart Broad returned to the bowling stock of England after recovering from a stomach injury that he suffered during the Ashes series.
Miller said that the Board and the coach are satisfied with the squad and was confident that the squad had the depth to face the challenges that will be put forward during the tournament that runs till April.
England’s World Cup Squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Ian Bell, , Paul Collingwood, Tim Bresnan, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, James Tredwell, Luke Wright, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Michael Yardy, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ajmal Shahzad.
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