England include debutants in Test squad

Robson, Jordan and Moeen named among others against Sri Lanka.

LONDON: Australia-born Sam Robson was in line to make his England debut after the Middlesex opener was named Thursday in the squad to play Sri Lanka in next week’s first Test at Lord’s.

Robson was one of three uncapped players named by national selector James Whitaker in a 12-man group along with Barbados-born all-rounder Chris Jordan, who impressed during the recent 3-2 ODI series defeat by Sri Lanka, and Moeen Ali, who provides England with their lone spin option.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire seamer Liam Plunkett, capable of hitting the 90mph mark, was recalled — having last played Test cricket seven years ago.

Matt Prior, who has been struggling with an Achilles injury, was passed fit to keep wicket.

And that meant there was no place for Jos Buttler, who made a blistering century for England against Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI or Jonny Bairstow, the man who replaced Prior during England’s 5-0 Ashes series loss in Australia.

England national selector James Whitaker said, “We believe that this group of emerging talent will be very well complimented by the established core of experienced players that have been selected.”

Robson is set to open alongside England captain Alastair Cook after Michael Carberry was dropped in what was Peter Moores’s first Test squad since he returned to the job of England coach.

He impressed on recent England second-string tours of Australia and Sri Lanka, making five hundreds in six matches during those trips while his coach at Middlesex, Angus Fraser, is now a Test selector.

“The winter form (showed) his (Robson’s) excellence — he made five hundreds, and he showed some great characteristics,” Whitaker told Sky Sports.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2014.

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