England have rested all-rounder Ben Stokes and speedster Jofra Archer for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in January 2021, but both will feature in the series against India the following month.
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The duo were missing from the 16-player squad and seven travelling reserves announced by the England selectors on Friday (December 11).
All-rounder Moeen Ali, 33, has been named in the Test squad for the first time since 2019 while wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow received a recall after losing his place in the red-ball side a year ago.
Essex batsman Dan Lawrence has received a maiden call-up.
England selectors understand the impact of staying in bio-secure bubbles and with a demanding year ahead, they are making sure their key players remain fresh for the important assignments.
“There must be room for sensible rotation in and out of the squad,” chief selector Ed Smith told reporters, as quoted by Reuters.
“Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer and those who are multi-format players will have blocks of rest. It’s impossible for people to go straight through six tests.”
Apart from Stokes and Archer, Rory Burns will miss the Sri Lanka tour as his wife is expecting their first child in January.
Smith said it was an opportunity for other players such as Bairstow who is keen to re-establish himself in the Test squad.
“Jonny has missed out on selection over the last year but this felt like the right moment with his pedigree playing spin in Asia, it’s the perfect moment for him.”
England will fly for Sri Lanka on January 2 and play both Tests at the Galle International Cricket Stadium behind closed doors. The first Test starts on January 14 while the second one will begin on January 22.
England squad for Sri Lanka Tests:
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Reserves: James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.
(Inputs from Reuters)
