Latest news with #Woakes
Glasgow Times
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
‘If all goes well' Jofra Archer could make England Test return against India
A 14-man squad will travel to Headingley for the first Test, with Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton and Bethell all returning after missing the season's curtain-raiser against Zimbabwe last month. Archer was not considered for duty due to a broken thumb, the latest in a long sequence of fitness issues that have seen him exiled from the longer format for more than four years. But the eagerness to see the X-factor quick back in whites remains undiminished, particularly with an Ashes winter coming up. 'If things go well… He should be available for the second Test.' 👀 🗣️ @LukeWright204 Speed guns at the ready 🔥 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 5, 2025 A potential route that sees him back in time to play at Edgbaston at the start of July has been mapped out, with a low-key outing for Sussex's second XI followed by a Rothesay County Championship game against Durham from June 22. Should he come through both assignments unscathed, the path could be clear for him to finally begin the long-awaited second chapter of a Test career that began with a bang against Australia in 2019. 'If things go well, he should be available for the second Test,' said selector Luke Wright. 'He's got to keep ticking off every day and getting no sort of setbacks, but if all goes well and Jofra gets through that Durham game, then he's available potentially for selection for that second Test. 'We'll watch him in that game for Sussex and see where he's at. He's such a talent, it doesn't take him too long to get up to speed. 'We can assess it from there: how he's bowled, how he's feeling, and if we want him to go for that second Test, we can asses as we go. We'll know more after that game.' With Gus Atkinson absent with a hamstring strain from the Zimbabwe game, England are expected to go in with a pace attack of Carse, Woakes and Josh Tongue. That would position Sam Cook as back-up to Woakes after a middling debut at Trent Bridge and Overton as cover for the quicker pair on his return to the Test squad after three years away. A thornier decision awaits when it comes to Bethell. England rate the 21-year-old extremely highly following his impressive maiden series in New Zealand before Christmas and he was in eye-catching form during the recent ODI clean sweep against West Indies. 'He's very close to it, it's a great option to have, isn't it?' Wright said of Bethell. 1st Test - Headingley, Jun 20-24 2nd Test - Edgbaston, Jul 2-6 3rd Test - Lord's, Jul 10-14 4th Test - Old Trafford, Jul 23-27 5th Test - The Oval, Jul 31-Aug 4 Captain Ben Stokes has become frustrated at media speculation that Bethell could come in for his deputy Ollie Pope, who scored a fine century against Zimbabwe to seemingly shore up his spot at number three, but the question is not going away. Wright stopped short of offering an iron-clad promise that Pope would retain his position against India but both he and Zak Crawley appear likely to stay in place, in the short term at least. 'What a talent we all see in him. We'll get together when we get up to Leeds and announce that two days out from the Test,' Wright said. 'We'll consider everything: conditions, what has gone before. All of those considerations go into the melting pot.' England squad for the first Test against India: B Stokes (c), S Bashir, J Bethell, H Brook, B Carse, S Cook, Z Crawley, B Duckett, J Overton, O Pope, J Root, J Smith (wkt), J Tongue, C Woakes.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
England name squad for first Test against India
New Delhi: As India ready themselves to take on England in the five-match Test series starting on June 20, there will be a certain reassurance in knowing that while Shubman Gill-led India is undergoing a transition, England too have several challenges to overcome. With several returnees and the rest missing due to injuries, England too seem to be testing the waters based on their announcement of a 14-player squad for the first Test match at Headingley. In what was a rather surprising call-up, bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton, will return to the red-ball setup for the first time since earning his sole cap against New Zealand at Headingley in June 2022. The 31-year-old sustained a broken little finger in the right hand during the ODI against the West Indies last week but continues to be assessed and reviewed daily by the England medical team. Oveton's call-up can be attributed to England's growing list of injury concerns in their pace potential. Gus Atkinson was another absentee in the squad as he remained unavailable for selection due to the right hamstring injury sustained during the recent Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. Atkinson's absence will particularly sting as he has been a consistent red-ball threat with the red-ball 55 wickets in his first 12 matches. Additionally, they are missing out on experience with Mark Wood and Olly Stone both out of the series with knee injuries and Jofra Archer unlikely to attain match fitness until the second Test at the earliest after a thumb issue. Seamer Brydon Carse, who has played five Tests and picked up 27 wickets, has been included in the squad. Chris Woakes is their most-capped seamer, having played 57 Tests and picked up 181 wickets. Carse and Woakes last featured during England's Test tour of New Zealand in December. There could also be a direct fight for the same spot between Woakes and Josh Tongue and it will be interesting to see if Woakes' experience will be prioritised over Tongue's form. On the batting front, Jacob Bethell's inclusion is a significant one. He missed the Zimbabwe Test due to IPL duties but finding a place for him in the Playing XI will give England a headache. Bethell, who has the backing of captain Ben Stokes, scored three half-centuries at No. 3 on his debut series in New Zealand but Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope – his immediate competition – both scored centuries against Zimbabwe. Jamie Smith, who was set to get a break before the India series will now have to step in for Phil Salt, who is on a paternity leave for the West Indies T20Is. However, their batting line-up will look to largely harness the experience of the in-form Joe Root and Ben Duckett. Harry Brook, who scored 58 against Zimbabwe, will be hoping to do more against India. Both the squads have changed significantly since England's 1-4 series defeat in India 18 months ago. Shubman Gill will take over India's Test captaincy for the first time as he leads a squad without the towering presence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin. England, meanwhile, will be without James Anderson, who retired shortly after that tour, while having moved on from Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson. Squad: Ben Stokes (C), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (WK), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
England vs India: Hosts' squad for first Test looks light on bowling, providing some relief to new-look India
The England media's reaction to the announcement of the Test squad for the first Test against India at Leeds said much. Be it The Times, London or The Guardian, or even the tabloids, they all led with the news that Jofra Archer was expected to be fit to play the second Test. The bowling attack for the first Test looks thin with injuries to Archer, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson – who has taken 55 wickets in 12 Tests – so much so that they have brought in 36-year old Chris Woakes, a good bowler in home conditions but one whose is battling a battered body and has restarted bowling just recently. The injuries have almost balanced out the two teams, leaving an intriguing prospect on the cards for the first Test – and even beyond that. India won't have Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they have retired, but it has to be noted that both struggled a lot in Test cricket on their final leg. A simply HUGE series awaits 🙌 Our squad for the 1st Test is HERE 👇 🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 5, 2025 More than their batting, their presence, guidance, and energy will probably be missed more. India will also be without Mohammed Shami, but will take heart from England's bowling line-up as it presents an untested and inexperienced Indian batting line-up with a decent opportunity to shine. At least better than if the main three English bowlers were present. Two teams with a certain sense of iffiness and uncertainty would go against each other on June 20. England's batting certainly seems to be their stronger suit, especially with the inclusion of the attacking Jacob Bethel and the return of attacking wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith. It will be interesting to see if Ollie Pope, the vice-captain, plays or makes way for the 21-year old Bethel. England's bowling attack will be led by Brydon Carse and Woakes. James Overton, the 31-year old Surrey seamer thought to be a white-ball specialist, will make a comeback to Tests after three years. Even he is battling a broken finger and is in a race against time to get fit for Leeds. Both Carse and Woakes didn't play the Test against Zimbabwe in May due to injuries. Sam Cook, who has the ability to swing the ball, retains his place in the squad along with Josh Tongue. Shoaib Bashir is the lone spinner in the squad. The good news for England is that Ben Stokes has been bowling of late. England's choice of bowlers then brings up the question on the kind of pitches that India will face. The presence of Jasprit Bumrah looms large, and will play its part in the choice of pitches, if one is to believe English insiders. 'Flat and Fast, but not seaming,' was how a source in the know put it. Though how fast it will be without live fresh grass remains to be seen.' Series Loading : ◼◼◼◻ Who is the first name in your XI? 🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 5, 2025 Initially, there were reports that pitches might be even a touch dry, considering the heat in the last couple of months. But things have turned, weather-wise, and it's been raining of late. In England, as Gautam Gambhir said in the departure press conference, much will depend on overhead conditions as they will determine if the ball would swing or not. England have Woakes and Cook to bend the ball in the air, but it will be interesting to see if they can function as a cohesive unit. England's batting can be expected to continue their attacking 'Bazball' way, and the interesting choice they have to make is between Bethel and Pope. Chief selector Luke Wright said 'He's very close to it,' when asked if Bethell had been picked to play. 'It's a great option to have, isn't it? What a talent we all see in him. I wouldn't even say it's a problem, it's a great issue to have.' A few days earlier, Ben Stokes had blamed the media on the same issue when he had talked about Bethel. 'If you're smart enough, the series that Beth had out in New Zealand, obviously he's going to be back in the UK for that India series. So, I think if you put 2 and 2 together, you probably know what's going to happen.' Later when it was reported by a section of the media that Bethel will play against India ahead of Pope, the regular No.3, Stokes turned angry. 'There's always someone going to be under the spotlight,' Stokes told BBC Test Match Special. 'We've come into this game and I've personally felt that it was a bit of a… I don't know… not a vendetta… but I got asked a simple question about Bethell, said put two and two together, he comes back into the squad. And then, all of a sudden, it turns into something that suits the agenda of the time. He's (Pope) my vice-captain, and he's been incredible for me at No.3 and the team. I think he's averaging over 40 now (43.06 at No.3), so it just suited what was being said, to be honest.' Australia threw the attacking Sam Konstas against Bumrah in the second half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a move that was said to go in their favour. England might be tempted to do the same with Bethel at some point in the series. England squad for first Test vs India: Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (capt), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
England announce squad for first Test vs India; Overton, Woakes included
England have named a 14-member squad for the first Test against India, starting 20 June at Headingley, Leeds, with experienced pacer Chris Woakes making a return to red-ball cricket. The 36-year-old all-rounder, who played a crucial role in England's emphatic win over India at Lord's back in 2018, has been included alongside fellow fast bowler Josh Tongue. Both players will get a tune-up opportunity for the main series by turning out for the England Lions in their second unofficial Test against India A, beginning Friday in Northampton. Woakes, who has over 180 Test wickets and nearly 2,000 runs, has not played a Test since the 2023 Ashes but remains a trusted option in English conditions. The England selectors have also recalled Jamie Overton, despite the pacer recovering from a finger fracture sustained just a week ago. Woakes, Tongue to warm up with Lions The ECB noted that Woakes and Tongue were advised to get valuable overs under their belt ahead of the first Test. Woakes, known for his effectiveness in home conditions, especially at Lord's, last featured prominently in 2018 against India, where he claimed four wickets and smashed an unbeaten 137. Tongue, who impressed in his limited opportunities, will also hope to cement his place for the upcoming series. Overton's return and injury watch Jamie Overton has been included despite a recent hand injury. The ECB confirmed that Overton, who played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, is under constant medical supervision and will be assessed daily. Gus Atkinson, meanwhile, misses out due to a hamstring injury picked up in the recent Test against Zimbabwe. Spin and youth in the squad Young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who starred with nine wickets against Zimbabwe, retains his spot as the lone specialist spinner. IPL winner Jacob Bethell and seamer Sam Cook, both of whom impressed recently, have also earned call-ups. Series schedule and Indian squad overview The five-match series begins in Leeds before moving to Birmingham, London (Lord's), Manchester, and The Oval. India, in a transitional phase under new skipper Shubman Gill, will be without veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Mohammed Shami was left out due to lack of match readiness. England full squad for Test series vs India: Ben Stokes (captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Jamie Overton returns to England Test squad for first time in three years
It remains to be seen whether the all-rounder will be fully fit to take the field at Headingley on June 20, having broken the little finger on his right hand during the recent ODIs against West Indies, but he has been given every chance to prove his fitness. The England and Wales Cricket Board has said the 31-year-old will be 'assessed and reviewed daily' by its medical team, who have already ruled Overton's Surrey team-mate Gus Atkinson out of the match. Atkinson tweaked his hamstring in the recent Test against Zimbabwe and has not been passed fit for the trip to Leeds. In his absence, England have further bolstered their pace bowling stocks with comebacks for fit-again pair Woakes and Carse. Both men missed the early part of the season with injury problems of their own, ruling them out of the opening Test of the summer. Woakes, who faces the tourists with England Lions in Northampton over the next four days, could edge out Sam Cook, who retains his place after a quiet debut against Zimbabwe. Carse, meanwhile, is in line for his first home cap after impressing over the winter in Pakistan and New Zealand. A thornier selection dilemma concerns Bethell, the 21-year-old rising star who is back from IPL duty and placing pressure on the top three. Chris Woakes returns to the Test squad (John Walton/PA) Bethell confirmed his status as an outstanding prospect with a highly-accomplished series against the West Indies and has already shown an aptitude for the cut and thrust of the Test arena on the New Zealand tour. Vice-captain Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley were both thought to be under pressure from his reintroduction but the pair reeled off matching hundreds against Zimbabwe and received glowing praise from skipper Ben Stokes in the aftermath. Stokes had earlier been equally effusive about Bethell but clarified that his endorsement only guaranteed a return to the squad, not the side. That is a decision that must now be taken as England ponder how to balance their options against an India side in a renewal phase following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. England squad for first Test against India: B Stokes (c), S Bashir, J Bethell, H Brook, B Carse, S Cook, Z Crawley, B Duckett, J Overton, O Pope, J Root, J Smith (wkt), J Tongue, C Woakes.
