National selector Geoff Miller announced the 15 man English squad for the Cricket World Cup 2011. He put in that his panel was happy with the team selected and that they have chosen an “exciting team”.
The Cup being held in the sub-continent shall have slow and turning wickets, which is because the selectors have gone in with three full time spinners. Miller also put in that he was confident that the team would prosper in sub-continent conditions.
The team would be headed by Andrew Strauss. The selectors preferred to pick Matt Prior as the wicket keeper instead of Steve Davies, inspite of the latter’s performances in the T20 matches. The chief selector justified this step by saying that Prior was quite experienced and would be more helpful in India as well as Bangladesh where the group stage matches of England are to be held.
Thus Prior, who was playing for Victoria in the Australian Domestic T20 competition, shall join the national side for the second ODI against Australia which is on the 21st in Hobart.
England shall be having the services of four seamers which include James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad and Jonathan Trott. Whereas the spinners list shall include Graemme Swann, James Tredwell and Michael Yardy. Ajmal Shahzad too has been named as an extra spinner in the squad.
Stuart Broad who had been suffering from an abdominal injury and is undergoing rehabilitation at the moment is expected to be fit by the World Cup.
Mean while Chris Tremlett was unfortunate to have been left out as the number of seamers had to be limited for this edition of the Cup given the conditions of the pitches on which the matches shall be played.
It is presumed that given his recent form prior shall be accompanying Andrew Strauss to open the innings. Ian Bell, Kevin Pieterson and Paul Collingwood shall support the middle order. The all-rounder Luke Wright has also been named in the fifteen.
Eoin Morgan who did well in the T20 against Australia has been chosen for his batting as well as part time keeping skills, to hone the role of the second wicket keeper in the team .
Geoff Miller also put in that, “We have several batsmen and pace bowlers that have been successful on the ODI stage while offering an encouraging blend of conventional and innovative approaches.”
Thus England would be hoping that they can add a Cup to their glory as they did last year by winning the ICC T20 World Cup.
Team: Andrew Strauss ( capt), Ian Bell ,Paul Collingwood , Eoin Morgan , Kevin Pietersen , Luke Wright , Matt Prior( wk), Ajmal Shahzad, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell , Jonathan Trott , Michael Yardy, James Anderson , Tim Bresnan , Stuart Broad.
Tags: Andrew Strauss, Cricket, Cricket World Cup 2011, ECB, England, England Cricket Team, England Squad, Geoff Miller, ODI Series