England announced a strong 16-man Test squad for its upcoming series against Pakistan in the UAE, with dashing opener Alex Hales the surprise pick for the five-day format.
Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales has been included in the Test squad for the first time, while left-armer Zafar Ansari joins Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid as the third spinner in the team as England look to match Pakistan’s slow bowling riches in the UAE.
“We would like to congratulate Alastair Cook, Eoin Morgan, Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace on the excellent results they have achieved this summer across all three different formats,” national selector James Whitaker told the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) website.
We are particularly pleased with the way in which a host of new, young players have swiftly adapted to international cricket and made their mark on the England team in such style,” he added.
According to Whitaker, the squad reflected the conditions England expect to encounter in UAE.
“The challenge we face against Pakistan will be very different and the composition of our squads reflects the conditions we expect to encounter in the UAE.
“Zafar Ansari’s potential excites us and he will provide strong competition for Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali in the Test squad after enjoying an excellent domestic season with both bat and ball for Surrey.”
Former England captain Paul Collingwood and ex Sri Lanka star Mahela Jayawardene will also be travelling with the team as consultants.
England squads:
England Test squad
Alastair Cook (Essex) captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Zafar Ansari (Surrey)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
James Taylor (Nottinghamshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)
One-Day International squad
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Sam Billings (Kent)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Jason Roy (Surrey)
James Taylor (Nottinghamshire)
Reece Topley (Essex)
David Willey (Northamptonshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)
T20 International Squad
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) captain
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
Sam Billings (Kent)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Jordan (Sussex)
Stephen Parry (Lancashire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Jason Roy (Surrey)
Reece Topley (Essex)
James Vince (Hampshire)
David Willey (Northamptonshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)
Pakistan v England in UAE 2015 – tour itinerary:
Series itinerary:
Oct 5-6: two-day match v Pakistan ‘A’, Sharjah
Oct 8-9: two-day match v Pakistan ‘A’, Sharjah
Oct 13-17: First Test, Abu Dhabi.
Oct 22-26: Second Test, Dubai
Nov 1-5: Third Test, Sharjah
Nov 8: One-day practice match, Abu Dhabi
Nov 11: First One-day International, Abu Dhabi
Nov 13: Second One-day International (d/n), Abu Dhabi
Nov 17: Third One-day International (d/n), Sharjah
Nov 20: Fourth One-day International (d/n), Dubai
Nov 23: T20, England v UAE XI, Abu Dhabi
Nov 26: First T20 International, Dubai Cricket Stadium
Nov 27: Second T20 International, Dubai Cricket Stadium
Nov 30: Third T20 International, Sharjah Cricket Stadium.