England announce test squad to face Ireland, Ollie Pope appointed vice-captain

Jonny Bairstow will play international cricket after 9 months gap.

The England cricket team have announced a 15-member squad for the only test against Ireland. Ireland is set to take on England from 1st June at The Lord’s. Pacer Jofra Archer after stress on his elbow once again set to miss out on The Ashes action which will begin after the one-off test against Ireland. Jofra Archer did not play more than 5 games for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2023. England have recalled Jonny Bairstow in the squad, who was out of the action for a while due to an injury. Ben Fokes made way for Jonny Bairstow in the squad. 

Anderson is picked amid injury concerns

England’s leading pace bowler James Anderson is also included in the squad. There were doubts over his fitness before the Ireland test. Anderson suffered a minor groin strain. Pace bowler Mark Wood is also added to the squad, Wood flew back home early from the IPL 2023 due to personal reasons. Putting all the injury concerns aside, Ben Stokes has made himself available to lead the squad in the Home season’s opening test against Ireland. Ollie Pope has been picked as Stokes’s new deputy for the big season ahead. There were multiple injury concerns over England’s squad, but they have put them aside before an important Ashes against Australia.  

As per a few media reports, Ben Stokes will fly back home to England after Chennai Super Kings last league game. Right-arm pacer Matt Potts is there as a cover for James Anderson, if he does not get fit till before the Ireland test, Potts will secure a place alongside Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson in the squad. England have done magnificently in this format under Ben Stokes - Brandon Mccullum's leadership. Stokes has captained England on 12 tests, and have 10 of them. Ashes will be on their radar considering the thrashing they got in 2021 Down Under. Jonny Bairstow will play an international game after August 2022. 

England squad for Ireland test

Ben Stokes (C), Ollie Pope, Zack Crawley, Ben Duckett, Daniel Lawrence, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Matt Potts.