England Squad announced for Test Match against Ireland

The England Cricket squad to face Ireland at Lord’s was announced by the ECB on Tuesday

The 15 player England squad to play against Ireland in their test match at Lord’s on Thursday, 1^st June 2023, has been announced. The four days of test cricket are set to take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.

There is notable relief for the likes of James Anderson, who feared that he would not make the squad following the groin strain that he suffered whilst playing against Somerset in the County Championship.

Anderson’s injury meant that he had to miss the third day of Lancashire’s County Championship match against Somerset. His Head Coach, Glen Ghapple said that he did not “think it’s anything too serious.” Grapple was correct in that assessment with Anderson set to play against Ireland in June.

Anderson’s fellow bowlers, Jofra Archer and Olly Stone will play no part after suffering more severe injuries. Archer returned to England from the Indian Premier League earlier than expected after continued trouble with his elbow, whereas Stone picked up a hamstring injury whilst playing for Nottinghamshire.

The announced squad is as follows:

• Ben Stokes – Durham (Captain)
• James Anderson – Lancashire
• Jonathan Bairstow – Yorkshire
• Stuart Broad – Nottinghamshire
• Harry Brook – Yorkshire
• Zak Crawley – Kent
• Ben Duckett – Nottinghamshire
• Dan Lawrence – Essex
• Jack Leach – Somerset
• Ollie Pope – Surrey
• Matthew Potts – Durham
• Ollie Robinson – Sussex
• Joe Root – Yorkshire
• Chris Woakes – Warwickshire
• Mark Wood – Durham

On the announcement of the squad, the ECB’s Managing Director for Men’s Cricket, Rob Key said (via ECB): “We are looking forward to the summer ahead and getting into the swing of things, starting with a good test against Ireland.

“It was a seriously tough decision to leave Ben Foakes out of the squad. He has been excellent for England in the last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about.”

Key then added: “I would like to wish the players every success, especially those returning after some time away.”

There is good news on the injury front, with Jonny Bairstow finally back in the squad for the first time since August 2021 after recovering from a broken left leg and a dislocated ankle which he suffered in an accident whilst playing golf.

It was England who won the most recent match between the two teams was a One Day International on 3^rd May 2019, where England won by 4 wickets. This followed a one-off test that was eventually won by England by 143 runs.

Durham’s Mark Wood is also back in the squad after taking a break and as such was not included in the England squad for the tour of New Zealand back in February 2023.

Excitement and anticipation is growing for what promises to be an enthralling 4 days of test cricket action, starting on 1^st June 2023 at Lord’s.