England have named their XI for the first Ashes Test, which begins at Edgbaston on Friday (June 16) – here’s a look at how the team lines up.
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The most notable name absent from the starting XI is Mark Wood, who has been left out of the three-man pace attack. His absence means England will have no out-and-out fast option, with Ollie Robinson, James Anderson and Stuart Broad making up the pace bowlers.
Despite an impressive debut against Ireland at Lord’s, Josh Tongue gives way to the more experienced Anderson and Robinson, while Chris Woakes misses out once more and will not play on his home ground.
Moeen Ali will make his Test return having been parachuted straight into the squad after Jack Leach was ruled out of the series with a stress fracture. While he was expected to be in the side as soon as his name was announced in the squad, there was an outside chance Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum would look to play a four-man seam attack, with Joe Root making up some overs of spin.
The rest of the side looks identical to the one England fielded against Ireland at Lord’s. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett combine for the opening partnership with Ollie Pope slotting in at three. Pope hit a double-century in that Ireland Test and is now Stokes’ official vice-captain.
Joe Root will play his 30th Test against Australia at Edgbaston, batting at No.4, while Jonny Bairstow comes back in with the gloves at seven after recovering from his broken leg to be named in the squad. Harry Brook and Stokes fill the gap in between the two at five and six.
England’s XI for the first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.
