England set to leave out this veteran seamer for the tour of Sri Lanka

Engand will tour the island nation for 3 Tests in November.

Stuart Broad | Getty

England are seriously considering dropping one of their stalwart and right-arm fast bowler Stuart Broad for the three lions' upcoming Test tour to Sri Lanka. While the selection for the tour is still two weeks away from now, the national selection committee consisting of Ed Smith and James Taylor, it is learnt, could well leave out Broad from the Test side for the first time in 11 years. 

Though Broad, who is 32 now, is very much an important part of England's plans for the future, that sees an Ashes at home next year, and has 22 wickets at 26.00 across this summer, according to reports it is his record in Asia that is likely to go against him, as the team management feels the need to try out a few different options. 

Broad, who has taken 432 Test wickets across 123 games, has always had questioned raised about his suitability in conditions not conducive to swing bowling - Australia and the subcontinent - and it looks like finally there has been a decision made on that matter. 

England are most likely to take four spinners - Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Jack Leach and Dom Bess, with the first three expected to play every Test. On the other hand, James Anderson, amidst the news that he could be rested for the whole winter, might share the new ball with left-armer Sam Curran, and Ben all-rounder Stokes is likely to be third seamer in the main XI. 

In Broad's absence, it is understood, Jamie Overton and Olly Stone, speedsters, could well get a look in. 

Also, Keaton Jennings, who has struggled to put bat to ball in the ongoing series against India but is considered one of the better players of spin in England, might also be persisted for the tough tour against the likes of Rangana Herath & co. 

Here's the possible England squad:- Jennings, Burns, Denly, Root, Bairstow, Buttler, Pope, Moeen, Stokes, Woakes, Sam Curran, Rashid, Leach, Bess, Anderson. 


(Inputs from The Telegraph)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 10 Sep, 2018

    Share Via