England have named uncapped trio Sam Robson, Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan in their squad for next week’s First Test against Sri Lanka but there is no place for rising star Jos Buttler.
For the opening game of the two-match Investec Series, England’s first Test since their defeat at Sydney in January sealed a 5-0 Ashes whitewash, there will be, at most, only four survivors from that 281-run loss to Australia — captain Alastair Cook, Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ian Bell. This is also the first Test since Peter Moores began his second stint as coach.
Both Robson and Moeen should make their Test debuts while Jordan, the outstanding player in England’s limited-overs matches during the early part of the summer, is expected to fight it out with the recalled Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes — a slightly surprising inclusion — for the final place in the pace attack. Plunkett’s last Test was seven years ago.
Matt Prior must prove he is fully fit following Achilles trouble as he seeks to regain his place as wicketkeeper. His presence in the 12-man group means Buttler, the precocious ’keeper-batsman, must wait for his chance, but the batting order will generate the most interest.
Robson, the Australian-born left‑hander who plays for Middlesex, should open with Cook.
Jonathan Trott’s extended break from cricket — he has played only one competitive game since flying home from the Ashes following the First Test in Brisbane — means there is a gap at three.
Both Joe Root and Bell had a crack at the job in the winter and the former might have another chance next week, despite Bell’s oft-stated desire to bat there. The Warwickshire man should bat at four, with Kevin Pietersen no longer part of the equation after he was effectively sacked in February.
Gary Ballance played in Sydney and has been pencilled in at five, a reward for his outstanding form for Yorkshire during the early part of the county season. And with no specialist slow bowler in the squad, England will probably rely on Moeen and Root for spin.
National selector James Whitaker said: “We believe that this group of emerging talent will be very well complemented by the established core of experienced players that have been selected. We are expecting a tough series against Sri Lanka.”
