London (AFP) – England included the uncapped trio of batsman Dawid Malan and bowlers Tymal Mills and Liam Dawson in a 13-man squad for their upcoming Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka.
Malan, born in London but brought up in South Africa, gets his chance after impressing for England’s second-string Lions team.
Fast bowler Mills now only plays limited overs cricket because of a back condition, while Hampshire left-arm spinner Dawson is also a useful batsman.
England will be looking to build on the form that saw them finish runners-up to the West Indies in this year’s World Twenty20 in India.
None of the uncapped trio, however, were included in England’s 14-man squad for the five one-days internationals against Sri Lanka that will take place before the lone Twenty20 international.
But Jonny Bairstow, fresh from being named man-of-the-match in the drawn third Test against Sri Lanka, was back in the one-day squad.
Bairstow, also England’s man of the series in a 2-0 campaign win over Sri Lanka, was one of three glovemen in the one-day squad along with regular white-ball keeper Jos Buttler and Kent’s Sam Billings.
Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan retained the captaincy of both the ODI and T20 squads, with Test skipper Alastair Cook not having played limited overs cricket for England since before last year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile Test new-ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad were again spared white-ball duty ahead of England’s four-match series in the five-day format at home to Pakistan starting next month.
“We have made good progress over the past 12 months in all white-ball cricket, which has been very encouraging,” said England national selector James Whitaker.
“The six matches coming up against Sri Lanka will give the players a good test of their credentials.
“The T20 squad has a balanced feel to it with an exciting blend of youth and experience.”
Former England batsman Whitaker also said: “It is important for this group of players to make a mark this summer as we continue to improve ahead of hosting the ICC Champions Trophy (ODI) tournament this time next year.”
England ODI squad:
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wkt), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wkt), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Alex Hales Hales (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), James Vince (Hampshire), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
England T20 squad:
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, capt), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wkt), Sam Billings (Kent, wkt), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wkt), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Tymal Mills (Sussex), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), James Vince (Hampshire), David Willey (Yorkshire)
Fixtures
Jun 21: 1st ODI, Trent Bridge
Jun 24: 2nd ODI, Edgbaston
Jun 26: 3rd ODI, Bristol
Jun 29: 4th ODI, The Oval
Jul 02: 5th ODI, Cardiff
Jul 05: T20, Southampton
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