England have named their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy with Mark Wood recalled
Sunday 30 April 2017 14:54, UK
Durham fast bowler Mark Wood has been included in England’s 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.
The 27-year-old has not played for England since last September, missing the entirety of the winter programme after undergoing surgery on his ankle, but has recovered in time to make the squad with Steven Finn the man to make way.
The Middlesex seamer has been included in the 14-man squad for the two-match ODI series with Ireland, as has Ben Duckett, but neither have been included in the squad for the Champions Trophy and the ODI series with South Africa that proceeds it.
David Willey is included, though, after missing the tour of the West Indies with a hand injury while captain Eoin Morgan, opener Jason Roy and Kent's Sam Billings will cut short their IPL stays to participate in the Ireland clashes.
Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes will remain in India before returning in time to take on South Africa in the three-match series.
"We have made encouraging progress over the past 18 months in white ball cricket and the squads selected reflect consistency and give options across all disciplines," National Selector James Whitaker said.
Live One-Day International Cricket
"It is pleasing that Mark Wood and David Willey have returned to full fitness. They add variety and quality to our bowling strengths and David's ability as an attacking batsman is also an important element for us.
"As we build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy in June, matches against Ireland and South Africa are very important in their own right as we aim to win both series."
Having finished as runners-up in 2004 and 2013, England will be looking to win the Champions Trophy for the first time since its inception in 1998.
To do so they must qualify from a group also containing Australia, Bangladesh and New Zealand with defending champions India in the second group.
England squad to face South Africa and for the ICC Champions Trophy: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).
England squad to face Ireland: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Ben Duckett (Northamptonshire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Mark Wood (Durham).
