By BV Swagath
Hosts England have announced a 13-man squad for the opening Investec Ashes Test at Nottingham which is scheduled to begin on the 10th of this month. Kevin Pietersen comes back in the team after recovering from his knee injury and making way for him is opener Nick Compton.
England has opted to have young Joe Root to open the batting with Skipper Alastair Cook. Jonny Bairstow has been retained in the team as a middle order bat and along with Root is the only player in the 13-man squad not to play in an Ashes Test yet.
Key bowlers Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann have been declared fit for the Test match. England also have Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions in the pace battery.
According to the ECB official website, National Selector Geoff Miller has been quoted to have said: “This is an incredibly exciting period of cricket coming up against Australia and we know we will need to play to our full potential throughout the entire Investec Ashes Series if we are to retain the Ashes.
“We are satisfied with our preparations so far ahead of the first Test with both Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad recovering well from the injuries they picked up earlier this week. The squad will continue their hard work over the next few days and will be eagerly anticipating the start of the series on Wednesday at Trent Bridge.”
England Squad for 1st Ashes Test: Alastair Cook (Captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior (Wicket Keeper), Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott
