Ben Stokes has been named in England’s ODI squad to face New Zealand in the upcoming four-match series in September, confirming his return to the set-up ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in India later this year.
There is no place for Jofra Archer in the 15-player squad as the fast bowler, so instrumental in England’s 50-over World Cup win four years ago, continues his recovery from an elbow injury that has kept him out this summer.
Promising pace bowler Gus Atkinson has been rewarded with a debut call-up after bursting onto the scene this summer. The 25-year-old has taken 20 wickets in five County Championship games at an average of 20.20 for Surrey and, perhaps more pertinently, is the second-leading wicket-taker in The Hundred, with nine wickets in four games at 10.66 a pop.
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It took Rehan Ahmed just two deliveries to take his first international T20 wicket when playing Bangladesh earlier this year.
Nineteen-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been named in England’s squad for the four-match T20I series against New Zealand but is not included for the ODIs.
Gus Atkinson has been rewarded for a fine season with a maiden international call up
Atkinson is one of three uncapped players in T20 internationals included in that 15-player squad, along with Hampshire right-arm seamer John Turner and Worcestershire quick Josh Tongue, who made his England Test debut this summer.
Stokes – along with Joe Root, Jason Roy, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood – has only been included in England’s ODI squad, while Ahmed, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Tongue, Turner and Luke Wood are in the T20I party only.
Harry Brook played in all five Ashes Tests for England against Australia this summer
England men’s national selector, Luke Wright, said: “We have been able to name two extremely strong squads that underline the depth of talent we enjoy in white-ball cricket.
“The return of Ben Stokes only adds to that quality with his match-winning ability and leadership. I am certain that every fan will enjoy seeing him back in an England ODI shirt again.
“We’re also excited to give first international call-ups to both Gus Atkinson and John Turner while Josh Tongue has deserved a place in the T20 squad after impressing during the Ashes.
“Any series against New Zealand is closely fought and will provide us with an ideal opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.”
England follow their games against New Zealand with a three-match ODI series against Ireland (squad still to be named) before their World Cup campaign kicks off against the Black Caps in Ahmedabad on October 5.
Twenty20 International series vs New Zealand
Wednesday August 30 – Seat Unique Riverside, Durham (6pm)
Friday September 1 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester (6pm)
Sunday September 3 – Edgbaston, Birmingham (2.30pm)
Thursday September 5 – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (6pm)
ODI series vs New Zealand
Friday September 8 – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (12.30pm)
Sunday September 10 – The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (11am)
Wednesday September 13 – The Kia Oval, London (12.30pm)
Friday September 15 – Lord’s, London (12.30pm)
ODI series vs Ireland
Wednesday September 20 – Headingley, Leeds (12.30pm)
Saturday September 23 – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (11am)
Tuesday September 26 – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol (12.30pm)
ICC 50-over Cricket World Cup
Thursday October 5 – vs New Zealand, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (9.30am)
Tuesday October 10 – vs Bangladesh, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala (9.30am)
Saturday October 14 – vs Afghanistan, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (9.30am)
Saturday October 21 – vs South Africa, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (9.30am)
Thursday October 26 – vs Sri Lanka, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore (9.30am)
Sunday October 29 – vs India, BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow (8.30am)
Saturday November 4 – vs Australia, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (8.30am)
Wednesday November 8 – vs Netherlands, Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Gahunje (8.30am)
Saturday November 12 – vs Pakistan, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (8.30am)
Watch the ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup live on Sky Sports throughout October and November.
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