Ashes 2019: England star Jofra Archer to miss Edgbaston Test
Jofra Archer has been left out of the first Test of the Ashes.
The 24-year-old fast bowler, who took 20 wickets in the World Cup, was included in the squad for the five-match series, due to commence at Edgbaston on Thursday.
But Trevor Bayliss’s men opted for the experience of Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad instead, with the former playing on his home ground.
England’s World Cup-winning strike bowler, yet to debut in the longest format of the game, admitted he was struggling with a side strain for the second half of the tournament.
The knock was picked up against Afghanistan, the fifth of England’s 11 matches en-route to lifting the trophy.
The Sussex bowler made the confession upon his return to his club’s T20 side, and although he was included in the Ashes squad he has not made the team for the opening Test.
Opening pair Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad will be reunited as the record-breakers look to fire the hosts to glory against old nemesis Australia, with captain Joe Root to bat at three.
Jason Roy, another crucial member of the triumphant one-day international side, will make his Ashes debut after his red-ball debut in the win against Ireland.
But the selection for the first Test includes seven players who featured in the hosts’ last Ashes triumph in 2015.
Winning the competition would represent a dream summer for England, who face the mouth-watering prospect of claiming a World Cup and Ashes double on home turf.
England’s team for Edgbaston: Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
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