Sports01 October, 20262 min read
England Recall Mason Crane For ODI Tri-Series In Pakistan, With Harry Brook To Captain
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Mason Crane recalled to England's ODI squad for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka tri-series. Jofra Archer is rested for the ODI tri-series.
Crane recalled for tri-series
England recalled leg-spinner Mason Crane for the one-day international tri-series in Pakistan, with the 29-year-old given an opportunity after being out of the England set-up for eight years. England also named a 16-man squad for the tournament, with Harry Brook set to captain and with Adil Rashid and Sam Curran returning after injuries.
Jos Buttler was ruled out with the hamstring injury he sustained last week, while Jacob Bethell continued his recovery from knee surgery. Jofra Archer remained absent as England rested him for the tri-series, with the schedule running from 18 October to the tri-series final on 31 October at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Injury returns and squad
Marcus North said, "Mason Crane has been performing consistently for Glamorgan across both formats during the summer," as he explained why the leg-spinner "thoroughly deserves another opportunity at international level." England’s squad included uncapped pair James Coles and Henry Crocombe, with the selection also bringing back Adil Rashid after a hand problem and Sam Curran after a groin issue.
The tri-series format had the three teams playing each other twice, with the top two advancing to the final, and England’s matches starting with Pakistan v Sri Lanka on 18 October at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. England’s coaching rotation also shaped the trip, with the plan to rotate staff meaning Marcus Trescothick, fielding coach Sarah Taylor and fast-bowling coach Tim Southee were not going to Pakistan.
Pakistan and World Cup prep
England framed the Pakistan tri-series as preparation for the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa next year, while the tour itself was set to include matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The Guardian said the tri-series would serve as preparation for next year’s 50-over World Cup, with the three teams playing each other twice before the top two met for the final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on 31 October.
Sky Sports reported that Jofra Archer was rested to manage his workload following a busy summer, and it also said Jos Buttler was absent through injury. England’s limited-overs head coach Brendon McCullum was set to lead a rotated support staff in Pakistan, with Jeetan Patel, Mike Yardy, David Saker and Carl Hopkinson assisting in the series.