England name squads for white-ball series against South Africa, Ireland

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday announced the men’s squads for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa and Ireland, starting next month.

England will face South Africa in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is) at home from September 2 to 14, before travelling to Dublin for a three-match T20I series against Ireland beginning on September 17.

The ODI series against South Africa will start at Headingley on September 2, followed by matches at Lord’s (September 4) and The Rose Bowl (September 7). The three T20Is will be played in Cardiff (September 10), Manchester (September 12) and Nottingham (September 14).

Middle-order batter Harry Brook, who was appointed captain earlier this year, will continue to lead England in both formats against South Africa. The ODI squad remains largely unchanged but sees the inclusion of Hampshire pacer Sonny Baker, who has earned his maiden England call-up after strong performances for the England Lions. Baker replaces Gus Atkinson, who has been rested ahead of The Ashes.

England will also be boosted by the return of express pacer Jofra Archer, who recently made his Test comeback during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after a four-year injury absence.

For the Ireland series, Jacob Bethell will captain England for the first time, becoming the youngest-ever men’s captain in an international match. England selectors have opted to rest their all-format Test players for the Dublin tour, with Marcus Trescothick stepping in as head coach.

“Jacob Bethell has impressed with his leadership qualities ever since he has been with the England squads and the series against Ireland will provide him with the opportunity to further develop those skills on the international stage,” said England Men’s selector Luke Wright.

He added: “Sonny is a player we have identified for a while and he was impressive during the England Lions tours last winter. He has carried that form into this season in white-ball cricket with Hampshire and Manchester Originals and deservedly gets his opportunity.”

England squads:

ODI squad vs South Africa: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith.

T20I squad vs South Africa: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood.

T20I squad vs Ireland: Jacob Bethell (c), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood.