England announce squad for first Test against Sri Lanka; no place for Jos Buttler and Monty Panesar

Liam Plunkett

England batsman Jos Butler who earlier made news after he was Mankaded by Sri Lankan spinner Sachitra Senanayake in the recently concluded ODI series was not picked up for the first Test match against Sri Lanka starting on June 12 at Lord’s.

Another notable name to miss out is English spinner Monty Panesar due to disciplinary issues. Panesar was dropped for a county game after he failed to attend a team meeting.

England have picked three uncapped players.  24-year-old batsman Sam Robson, 25-year-old pacer Chris Jordan who has played 13 ODIs and seven T20s since making his England debut last September, and 26-year-old all-rounder Moeen Ali who made his ODI and T20 debuts earlier this year against West Indies. 

Yorkshire pace bowler Liam Plunkett makes a return to the Test team after seven years. He last played a Test match in 2007 against the West Indies.

National Selector James Whitaker said, "The selectors would like to congratulate all the players selected in the squad for the 1st Test against Sri Lanka. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of both the County and England Performance Programme coaches in helping to develop the talents of Sam Robson, Liam Plunkett, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes. All four have carried their exciting winter form into the domestic season to earn well deserved recognition.”

Chris Woakes as been included as the an all-rounder of the dside, with Ben Stokes still not fully fit.

England squad: Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Sam Robson (Middlesex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).