England name Test squad for New Zealand

By Daniel Brigham

Tim Bresnan has been left out of England's 15-man Test squad for the New Zealand tour while his elbow is assessed by specialists. Eoin Morgan and Samit Patel also miss out.

England play three Tests against New Zealand in March, but they will do so without Bresnan. He underwent elbow surgery in December 2011 and has struggled with his pace ever since and England's management feel it needs to be re-assessed. Warwickshire's Chris Woakes is called up as his replacement.

Of the batsmen who were part of England's Test squad in India, Patel and Morgan miss out while Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow retain their places. Opener Nick Compton is also part of the squad.

National selector, Geoff Miller said: "This series against New Zealand provides an opportunity for the squad to build on the form they showed against India as we start an important 12 months of Test-match cricket. With Tim Bresnan currently unavailable while his elbow is assessed there is a good opportunity for Chris Woakes to gain further experience in the international environment."

Meanwhile, Craig Kieswetter has been dropped from England's one-day squad for New Zealand. Root, Woakes and James Harris have been called into the squad. Miller was clear that Kieswetter needed to improve to be part of England's future: "He has had an extended opportunity in ODI and T20 cricket. He has shown evidence of delivering performances on the international stage however we don't feel these have been delivered consistently enough. As we look forward to the Champions Trophy and Cricket World Cup in 2015 we will look to explore other options. The door is not closed to Craig."

With Kieswetter dropped, the wicketkeeping gloves will pass to either Jos Buttler or Bairstow in the ODIs. With Root called up to the one-day squad, James Taylor replaces him as England Lions captain against Australia A in February.

England Test squad: Cook, Anderson, Bairstow, Bell, Broad, Compton, Finn, Onions, Panesar, Pietersen, Prior, Root, Swann, Trott, Woakes.

England T20 squad: Broad, Bairstow, Briggs, Buttler, Dernbach, Finn, Hales, Lumb, Meaker, Morgan, Patel, Tredwell, Woakes, Wright.

England ODI squad: Cook, Anderson, Bairstow, Bell, Buttler, Finn, Harris, Morgan, Patel, Root, Swann, Tredwell, Trott, Woakes.

Date: 24/01/2013 12:25:56 by DBrigham
In: Today | England |