England name Mark Footitt in pre-Ashes training squad but no place for Adil Rashid
England have named Mark Footitt as part of the squad set to embark upon a pre-Ashes training camp in Spain later this month.
The Derbyshire paceman joins Steven Finn and injured Yorkshire bowler Liam Plunkett in the 14-man party, although there is no place for Adil Rashid with Moeen Ali seemingly set to remain as his county's first-choice spinner at test level.
"With [new coach] Trevor Bayliss arriving in the country next Thursday, Trevor, Alastair and I felt it important that both players and management likely to be involved in the early stages of the Investec Ashes have chance to meet him and fully understand his approach prior to meeting up for the start of the Test series," newly-appointed director of English cricket Andrew Strauss said.
"With that in mind, we have arranged a preparation camp in Spain. This will involve a combination of physical and fielding sessions and planning meetings in an informal environment in order to provide the best possible lead up to the first Test in Cardiff.
"The squad for the first Test will be announced within a few of days of returning from the camp."
England were whitewashed 5-0 during the last Ashes series and this year's edition gets underway in Cardiff on 8 July.
England squad for pre-Ashes training camp
Alastair Cook (Essex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Mark Footitt (Derbyshire), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Mark Wood (Durham).
Elsewhere, Reece Topley has been handed his first senior England call-up for the upcoming T20 contest against New Zealand.
The towering Essex fast bowler is joined in the squad by Hampshire batsman James Vince, with Sam Billings, David Willey and Mark Wood among five players selected who have yet to represent their country in the shortest format.
Eoin Morgan is named as captain, meanwhile, but former skipper Stuart Broad does not feature.
"This match against New Zealand allows us another opportunity to look at players relatively new to international cricket as we look to build a squad for the World T20 in India this winter," national selector James Whitaker said.
"The squad is made up of players who have demonstrated their ability in domestic cricket and fully deserve a chance to continue their progress against a very good New Zealand side.
"We have already seen our limited overs cricket begin to move in the right direction which is exciting but we are all aware that we have plenty more to do if we are going to challenge the very best sides in the world on a regular basis."
England square off against the Black Caps in a one-off T20 clash at Emirates Old Trafford on 23 June.
Before that, however, the two teams face a tantalising ODI decider this weekend (20-21 June) with the hosts having levelled an enthralling series at 2-2 last time out with a seven-wicket victory at Trent Bridge.
Morgan and Joe Root both notched impressive centuries as England eased to 350 and recorded their highest-ever run chase.
England squad for T20 international against New Zealand
Eoin Morgan (Capt, Middlesex), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), Reece Topley (Essex), James Vince (Hampshire), David Willey (Northamptonshire), Mark Wood (Durham).
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.