LONDON: England has rested Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer for next month’s two-Test series in Sri Lanka but have named World Cup-winner Jonny Bairstow in the 16-strong squad.
Paceman Archer and all-rounder Stokes, whose father Ged has just died from brain cancer, will return in February for the Test series against India.
England are due to spend almost three full months on tour in Asia in the New Year, travelling directly from Sri Lanka to India for a three-format trip.
The selectors have decided that those who play red and white-ball cricket cannot play the entire programme.
Others with major workloads, including Test skipper Joe Root, Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler, can expect to be given at rest at some stage.
Bairstow, 31, has played just one of England’s 12 Test matches since the 2019 Ashes and lost his Test central contract in September but is back for the two-match series in Sri Lanka.
The touring party, including seven travelling reserves, departs for Sri Lanka on January 2 and will play two Test matches behind closed doors at Galle International Cricket Stadium, starting on January 14 and January 22.
Squad: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
