England have announced a new-look squad for their upcoming series against Pakistan after four support staff and three players contracted the Covid-19. The entire contingent has to undergo a mandatory self-isolation and will be unavailable for the series.
As many as nine domestic talents have earned maiden call-ups. Ben Stokes will finally make that long-anticipated comeback. An injury had kept him on the sidelines for months. He will lead the side in the absence of Eoin Morgan.
Alex Hales’ international exile continues as England went ahead with Surrey opener Will Jacks, who has amassed 369 runs in 11 games in the ongoing Vitality Blast 2021.
Danny Briggs, who made his ODI debut in 2012, is part of the squad. As is Dawid Malan, who missed the ODI series due to injury. Zak Crawley and James Vince have also been named in the squad.
Tom Banton will be cursing his luck. This would have been a perfect opportunity for him to make a statement. But Banton was picked for the third ODI. He did not play, and will now undergo a mandatory quarantine.
England ODI squad: Ben Stokes (c),Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Jake Ball, Danny Briggs, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Matt Parkinson, David Payne, Phil Salt, John Simpson, James Vince, Ben Duckett, Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton