England have today named a 14 player squad for the 5th and final test of the Ashes series at the Oval.
The squad is: A Cook (c), J Anderson, J Bairstow, I Bell, S Broad, S Finn, S Kerrigan, K Pietersen, M Prior, G Swann, C Tremlett, J Trott and C Woakes
Tim Bresnan and Graeme Onions are out of the squad from the 4th test with injury. Steve Finn returns having been dropped after the second test.
Simon Kerrigan, for those who don’t know of him, is a 24 year old left arm orthodox spinner who has played 48 first class matches and boasts an impressive record with 164 wickets at an average of 26.52. He has not appeared in the top English team at any level.
Chris Woakes, having already represented England at ODI and T20 level, is another 24 year old (does England have some depth at the moment or am I missing something?) this time an all rounder, again with an impressive first class record, having played 82 first class fixtures during which he has scored over 3000 runs at an average of 38 and taken 284 wickets at an average of 25.48.
I’m fairly certain that Kerrigan and Woakes are just with the team for the experience. Tremlett should come in for Bresnan and that will probably be the only change.
I agree save that I am hearing that the pitch is looking like a real turner. That may plush the Poms to blood Kerrigan. Definitely agree on Woakes.
I’m a bit bored with these dry wickets, I hope the pitches in Australia have a bit more variety.