England ready for winter tour
It’s more evolution than revolution with the England cricket side ahead of next month’s tour to South Africa.
Perhaps predictably after the Ashes success of the summer, the selectors have decided to keep faith with the majority of the squad which edged out Australia 2-1 in a closely-fought Test series to reclaim the little urn.
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Liam Plunkett, Steve Davies and Adil Rashid have all been included, but there is no place for Steve Harmison, Ravi Bopara or Monty Panesar.
The decision means that Durham bowler Harmison’s international career is effectively over after he was brought out of the cold during the latter stages of the Ashes.
“Stephen hasn’t been included in the Test squad because we feel his form has not been consistent enough over the past 12 months to justify a regular place in the side and we want to give an opportunity to other players to make a case for selection,” explained national selector Geoff Miller.
Meanwhile, Bopara’s future is unclear following his travails against Australia in both the Tests and the one-day games, as well as the recent ICC Champions Trophy.
Northamptonshire spinner Panesar has been omitted after slipping behind Graeme Swann and Rashid during a frustrating summer.
Jonathan Trott, the Warwickshire batsman who scored a century on his debut in the decisive fifth Test against Australia at The Oval, has also been included in the squad.
Interestingly, captain Andrew Strauss is the only survivor from the last England side to tour South Africa five years ago.
South African-born batsman Kevin Pietersen has been included despite doubts still surrounding his fitness following the Achilles operation which has sidelined him since July.
The tour takes the form of two Twenty20 internationals, five one-dayers and four Test matches and the Proteas have been made favourites with the sportsbooks to win out.
The most sweeping changes for England come in the limited-overs side where Lancashire paceman Sajid Mahmood has been recalled after a number of years in the wilderness.
Alastair Cook has also been included in the one-day squad despite suggestions that he is better equipped for the longer form of the game.
