England recall Wood for Champions Trophy

England paceman Mark Wood

Fit-again paceman Mark Wood has been included in the England squad for the ICC Champions Trophy on home soil.

Wood has not played for his country since last September after undergoing ankle surgery, but has been back in action for Durham in the County Championship after playing for the North against the South in the United Arab Emirates.

The 27-year-old was among the 15 players selected for the Champions Trophy and one-day international series against South Africa on Wednesday and no surprises were thrown up by the selectors.

All-rounder David Willey was also named in the squad for the Champions Trophy in June and to take on the Proteas next month after recovering from a shoulder problem which kept him out of the ODI series win over West Indies.

Our @ICC Champions Trophy squad!#CT17https://t.co/PlDwspmQXw pic.twitter.com/8YQCQfA4a1

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 25, 2017

Ben Duckett and Steven Finn have been included in a squad of 14 for two ODIs against Ireland next week, but have been overlooked for the Champions Trophy and South Africa series.

Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes miss the matches against Ireland due to their participation in the Indian Premier League.

National Selector James Whitaker, said: "We have made encouraging progress over the past 18 months in white ball cricket and the squads selected reflect consistency and give options across all disciplines. 

"It is pleasing that Mark Wood and David Willey have returned to full fitness. They add variety and quality to our bowling strengths and David's ability as an attacking batsman is also an important element for us.

"As we build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy in June, matches against Ireland and South Africa are very important in their own right as we aim to win both series."

 

England squad for the Champions Trophy and South Africa series: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

England squad to face Ireland: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Ben Duckett, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Mark Wood.