National Selector James Whitaker spoke after naming the squad for next week's Lord's Test
National Selector James Whitaker believes England’s squad for next week’s first Investec Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s contains the right mix of experience and youth.
Uncapped trio Sam Robson, Chris Jordan and Moeen Ali, of Middlesex, Sussex and Worcestershire respectively, were all named in a youthful-looking 12-man party.
But, with the likes of skipper Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad, Ian Bell, fully-fit Matt Prior and James Anderson included, Whitaker is happy with the make up of the group.
Whitaker told ecb.co.uk:“It is important. We have got a really good blend of experienced and new faces.
“I’m very excited. There is a new energy about the whole group. It will be very exciting to watch, I’m sure.”
Sri Lanka drew first blood on their tour of England with victory in the Royal London One-Day Series.
The tourists’ victory at Edgbaston on Tuesday handed them a 3-2 triumph in the five-match rubber.
And Whitaker insists the first five-day squad of Head Coach Peter Moores’ second spell in charge has all the attributes to turn the tables and come out on top in the two Tests.
He added: “We were competitive in the one-day series. But we are looking forward to playing competitive cricket, I know Alastair and Peter are very excited to get this group together.
“Let’s see. I think it will be a terrific series. Sri Lanka are a very good team, but I believe our skills will come to the fore and we will be competitive as well.”