England announce 15-man squad for 2015 ICC World Cup
England announced their 15-man squad for the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand today, and Gary Ballance, who wasn’t a part of the squad for the recent Sri Lanka series, has benefitted from Alastair Cook’s removal as England captain.
Eng #CWC15 squad Morgan Ali Anderson Ballance Bell Bopara Broad Buttler Finn Hales Jordan Root Taylor Tredwell Woakes pic.twitter.com/bSZxqs6hei
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) December 20, 2014
Cook was slated to lead the side during the 50-over event until the just concluded series, when a 2-5 defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka coupled with his perpetual lack of form with the bat left the selectors with no option but to look elsewhere, namely Eoin Morgan.
Ben Stokes and Harry Gurney have also been omitted from the squad that was in the subcontinent, with premier bowlers James Andeson and Stuart Broad being included in their place.
England’s opening encounter of the World Cup is against co-hosts Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on 14 February, 2015.
Squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes