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Liam Livingstone is the one new face in the 16-man England squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand starting in March, with Mark Wood also recalled to the squad after his struggles with injury.
From the recent Ashes Test squad, the Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance, the Nottinghamshire seamer Jake Ball and the Surrey all-rounder Tom Curran miss out. James Vince, Moeen Ali and Mark Stoneman have been retained, however, despite having a difficult time in the Australia series.
Liam Livingstone was described by the England national selector James Whitaker as ‘a very talented and tough cricketer’. Photograph: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
Livingstone impressed for Lancashire last season, scoring 803 runs at an average of 47.24, and was one of the best performers on the recent Lions tour to Australia.
The national selector, James Whitaker, said the selectors have been “particularly impressed” with the 24-year-old’s ability against spin and seam.
Whitaker said: “Liam has been a player we have been impressed with for quite some time, having performed well in the county system with Lancashire and over the past couple of years with the England Lions.
“He is a very talented and tough cricketer who has the ideal qualities and character to be successful in the Test arena. During the recent Lions tour of Australia, he was a standout performer and showed a lot of maturity in his attitude and put in some strong performances. We are particularly impressed with the way he bats against spin and is equally adept against the seamers.”
Selectors have also recalled the Durham seamer Wood, who returns to the Test squad for the first time since last year. “After a frustrating period with injuries, Mark is now back to full fitness and is looking forward to being part of our Test plans. He will play a significant part in our forthcoming ODI tour of Australia and we will be paying close attention to his efforts over the next few weeks.”
Ben Stokes is included, though his involvement remains subject to legal or disciplinary developments in relation to an incident in Bristol in September. Should the England and Wales Cricket Board receive confirmation Stokes has either been charged or that he will face no charges, they would convene within 48 hours to make a decision on his availability at that stage.
Regarding Ballance, Ball and Curran, Whitaker said: “All three will return to county cricket and will be looking to start the season well with a view to staking their claim to get back into selection reckoning. They are talented players and I am sure their time will come again.”
The first Test starts on 22 March in Auckland, with the second beginning on 29 March in Christchurch.
England Test squad for New Zealand
Joe Root (Yorks) captain, Moeen Ali (Worcs), Jimmy Anderson (Lancs), Jonny Bairstow (Yorks), Stuart Broad (Notts), Alastair Cook (Essex), Mason Crane (Hants), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancs), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Craig Overton (Somerset), Ben Stokes (Durham), Mark Stoneman (Surrey), James Vince (Hants), Chris Woakes (Warks), Mark Wood (Durham).
(GUARDIAN)
