Michael Lumb, Michael Yardy and Ajmal Shahzad are the surprises in the England squad for this years T20 in West Indies.
Didn’t see, and am surprised by, the inclusion of Yardy. Shahzad had a steady ODI series in Bangladesh, and the selectors have obviously seen something they like the look off.
Ravi Bopara has also earned a recall, the selectors obviously feel he has done enough to justify his recall. Owais Shah hasn’t been as lucky as Bopara, and the selectors haven’t named any batting cover, it’s all in the bowling department.
No surprise to see Craig Kieswetter replace Matt Prior, the James Foster experiment last year might have worked from a wicketkeeping point of view, but was no success on the batting side of things.
Kieswetter deserves his chance, his explosive batting looks made for T20, while Prior has been fine in the Test arena, he hasn’t done enough in limited overs cricket.
Michael Lumb is the main selection grenade to be thrown in this time, another one with a South African background, and no international experience to call on, I was a bit surprised with his inclusion.
Scores of 10, 0, 41, 45, 30 and 0 for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, and his winter performances for England Lions seem to be enough to convince Miller and Co he is ready for a World T20.
Pietersen, Collingwood and Morgan are assured of their places, it would appear Kieswetter will open the batting with one of, Lumb or Bopara.
Tim Bresnan continues to reep the rewards of his successful Bangladesh tour, and now looks to have moved ahead of Luke Wright as the No.7 allrounder, although both could play in the same team in T20.
The recall of Michael Yardy would suggest England are likey to look at playing two spinners at times, along with Swann and Tredwell, there is three spinners in the squad. How far down the pecking order is Adil Rashid now?
Was also surprised to see the injury prone Sidebottom get another chance, although he did perform well in last years competition, albeit in favourable English conditions.
Out go Jonathan Trott and Joe Denly. Trott must be paying the price for his recent Chris Tavare displays, while Denly hasn’t made the most of his opportunites, although I do hope this isn’t the end for him in an England shirt (stranger things have happened).
England Squad for World Twenty20 – Paul Collingwood (capt), Ravi Bopara, Michael Lumb, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Craig Kieswetter, Luke Wright, Tim Bresnan, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ajmal Shahzad, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Michael Yardy.
