Graeme Swann was Wednesday named captain of England’s squad for two Twenty20 internationals against West Indies. With injured captain and vice-captain Stuart Broad and Eoin Morgan currently unavailable, England had been hesitating over who would lead the team at The Oval next week.
Both one-day international captain Alastair Cook and regular Tim Bresnan made it clear over the past two days that they would jump at the chance to take over. But Test and ODI opener Cook remains outside the Twenty20 squad, having not featured in the shortest format for almost two years.
There is also no Kevin Pietersen in the 14-man list, meaning England will start with a youthful squad which includes two potential debutants in Yorkshire batsman Jonathan Bairstow and Hampshire spinner Danny Briggs.
There is a return to Twenty20 for fast bowler James Anderson, inked in for Tests and ODIs – while young Durham leg-spinner Scott Borthwick is the other addition to the squad from the one which beat India by six wickets last month. National Selector Geoff Miller said: “We have once again selected a blend of experienced international performers, along with exciting young players with a great deal of talent.
“We have had a successful summer to date and will be looking to continue our form during the Twenty20 series against West Indies and finish the summer with two strong performances. “We have selected 10 of the players who were involved in last month’s Twenty20 victory over India, while the injuries to Stuart Broad and Eoin Morgan and the continued period of rest for Kevin Pietersen means we bring four players into the squad.” Off-spinner Swann, who has never captained his country before, will become the fifth man to lead them this summer.
Miller added: “Graeme Swann is a highly-respected member of the England side, and his experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable when he leads a young England team next week – a role he is very much looking forward to.” England play the West Indies at The Oval on September 23 and 25.
Squad
GP Swann (capt), JM Anderson, JM Bairstow,
RS Bopara, SG Borthwick, TT Bresnan, DR Briggs, JC Buttler, JW Dernbach, ST Finn, AD Hales, C Kieswetter (wkt), SR Patel, BA Stokes.
