England Name Uncapped James Coles in 17-Player T20I Squad for India Series

England named an uncapped all-rounder, James Coles, in a 17-player squad for the five-match T20I series against India, with Harry Brook set to captain the side.

“Sussex all-rounder James Coles has been called up by England for their T20 series against India”

BBC

The series begins on July 1 at Chester-le-Street, with the final match in Southampton on July 11, and England’s squad includes Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Rehan Ahmed, Phil Salt, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue and Luke Wood.

BBC

Coles, 22, is described as a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder who cost £390,000 in the Hundred after being signed by London Spirit, and the BBC says he is yet to make his international debut.

The BBC also states that selector Marcus North said, "James Coles is an exciting addition and has earned his place," and that England have selected a larger squad to manage the tight turnaround after the Test series against New Zealand.

England’s T20 squad is set alongside the return of Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker and Saqib Mahmood, while Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton are unavailable due to injury.

Alongside Coles’ maiden call-up, England’s five T20Is are scheduled at Banks Homes Riverside in Chester-le-Street on July 1, Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on July 4, Trent Bridge in Nottingham on July 7, Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol on July 9, and Utilita Bowl in Southampton on July 11.

The BBC frames Brook’s captaincy as he leads the side in five T20 matches despite being overlooked to lead the Test side against New Zealand, while Ben Duckett is left out of the T20 squad.

Bhaskar English

In the same squad announcement, Marcus North said, "We have selected a larger squad to accommodate for the fact that this series will begin shortly after the Test series against New Zealand is due to conclude," and the BBC links that flexibility to the end of the Test series.

The Rediff report similarly places England’s series start on July 1 and says the opening match is set to be played at Chester-le-Street, while also noting the series is a five-match T20I run against India.

Rediff adds that the ECB moved the start time of the matches under lights ahead by an hour, with the first, third and fourth T20Is starting at 10pm IST and the second and fifth at 7pm IST.

With England’s T20I series against India set to run from July 1 to July 11, the BBC notes England are likely to come up against 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the series.

“Sussex all-rounder James Coles has been handed his first England call up for the T20 series against India next month”

Brighton and Hove News

The BBC also ties the selection to the Hundred, saying Coles cost £390,000 in the Hundred this year when being signed by London Spirit, and it lists the full England men’s T20 squad including Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue and Luke Wood.

In parallel, the ICC report says England named a 17-player squad for the five-match T20I series against the reigning T20 World Cup champions India, with the headline inclusion being uncapped all-rounder James Coles.

The ICC also quotes Marcus North saying, "James Coles is an exciting addition and has earned his place following his performances with the England Lions and in T20 competitions here and abroad during the past 12 months."

The BBC’s selection context includes that there is no place for Test opener Ben Duckett, and that Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton are unavailable due to injury as England prepare to open at Chester-le-Street on July 1.