James Anderson and Jonny Bairstow rested, Moeen Ali remains unavailable for selection
Wednesday 12 February 2020 14:11, UK
England have recalled opener Keaton Jennings for the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka in March with Jonny Bairstow and James Anderson both rested and Moeen Ali still unavailable for selection.
Jennings played the last of his 17 Tests in February 2019 having struggled to establish himself in international cricket, averaging 25.19.
However, both of his Test centuries have come in sub-continent conditions, on debut in India and on England's last visit to Sri Lanka in 2018, where he also impressed with a number of fine catches at short leg.
Jennings told Sky Sports: "It is always an honour to go on a tour and represent your country. It is a huge opportunity and hopefully we can give the English fans a series win.
"I'm still relatively young - only 27 - and hopefully my best years are ahead of me, so I had not thought my Test career was over. But I would be naive to say I didn't think I had work to do to come back and establish myself."
National selector Ed Smith said of Jennings' inclusion: "In terms of squad depth, it seemed a sensible selection to go for someone who had plenty of experience in that part of the world.
"The overwhelming sense at the end of the series in South Africa was to continue with the exciting group of young players. We are also fortunate to have Keaton to supply depth and experience in those conditions."
With Bairstow given time to recuperate ahead of the summer and Rory Burns ruled out with an ankle injury, Jennings will compete with Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley for a place at the top of the order, while Joe Denly also retains his place in the squad.
"Jonny Bairstow has been in England squads across the three formats without a significant break. This two-Test tour presents a good opportunity for him to be rested," said Smith.
"Jonny as a centrally-contracted player and a highly-talented player definitely has a future. He is in the T20 and ODI sides - a central figure in that World Cup triumph - and no-one doubts Jonny at his best is an asset across the formats.
"He has been with the England set-up across formats for a considerable period of time and we believe he will benefit from having a certain amount of time away from England and he can get back into his best form."
Anderson, who suffered a cracked rib during the Test series in South Africa, has been left out to continue his recovery and ensure he is back up to speed for home series against West Indies and Pakistan later in the year.
The other addition to the squad is Ben Foakes. The 26-year-old was man of the series on England's last trip to Sri Lanka and will compete with Jos Buttler for the wicketkeeping gloves.
"I think there is a lot of support for Jos' talent. He is a very talented player and he's very highly regarded inside the team," Smith said of Buttler, who averaged just 16.42 in the Test series win over South Africa.
"From our side there is a strong sense of continuity from the South Africa tour and he contributed in lots of different ways to that tour.
"There have been phases when he has been extremely consistent. When Jos has scored runs it has usually been in matches England have won."
Ali's self-imposed absence continues but Jack Leach has recovered from illness and the left-armer is one of three frontline spinners in the squad, alongside Somerset team-mate Dom Bess and Lancashire's Matt Parkinson.
"Moeen Ali is still unavailable for Test selection. The selectors are in consistent dialogue with Moeen and he remains a valued player in England cricket," added Smith.
Stuart Broad, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and vice-captain Ben Stokes provide the seam bowling options but Joe Root will have to do without Jofra Archer, who is missing due to a right elbow injury.
England squad in full: Joe Root (captain), Ben Stokes (vice-captain), Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes (wk), Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Watch every ball of England's Test series in Sri Lanka in March live on Sky Sports.
