England have confirmed their Ashes squad ahead of the first Test at Egbaston on Thursday.
Jofra Archer is set to make his Test debut on the biggest stages of all after being named in the 14-strong selection, having proven his fitness in Sussex’s T20 Blast match with Surrey on Friday night.
Archer completed his four hostile overs in three spells for just 21 runs and also included the wicket of Surrey's top scorer Ollie Pope.
As expected, Jimmy Anderson has also been passed fit for the opening Test having injured his right calf last month.
Elsewhere, Ben Stokes – one of the heroes, alongside Archer, of England’s World Cup success – is named as vice-captain again, while Rory Burns and Olly Stone are also selected.
Stone’s inclusion means there is no place for Somerset’s Jack Leach despite his stand of 92 in the nail-biting victory over Ireland in their Ashes warm-up. It is understood that he will stay and train with the squad.
Here is the England Ashes squad in full:
Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
Australia confirmed on Friday that their shamed ‘sandpapergate’ trio of Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner would be in their squad for Thursday’s opener at Edgbaston.
While Smith and Warner competed in this summer’s Cricket World Cup, for Bancroft, this will be his first return to international cricket.
Here is Australia’s Ashes squad in full:
Tim Paine (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Patrick Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.
Ashes schedule
August
- 1-5 | 1st Test, Edgbaston
- 14-18 | 2nd Test, Lord's
- 22-26 | 3rd Test, Headingley
September
- 4-8 | 4th Test, Old Traffo
- 12-16 | 5th Test, The Oval
All Tests start at 11am BST
