Michael Carberry included in both Twenty20 and ODI England squads

The sides will take on Sri Lanka this summer

David Clough
Tuesday 13 May 2014 14:04 BST
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Michael Carberry has criticised the England hierarchy after he was dropped without being given an explanation
Michael Carberry has criticised the England hierarchy after he was dropped without being given an explanation (Getty Images)

Michael Carberry is back in the England frame after being included in both the Twenty20 and one-day international squads to take on Sri Lanka.

England's 13-man Twenty20 squad, led by Eoin Morgan in place of the injured Stuart Broad for a one-off match at The Oval next week, is also notable for the return to the shortest format of Ian Bell and the absence of Michael Lumb.

Seamers Harry Gurney, who made his international debut in a reduced 50-over match against Scotland last week, and Tim Bresnan - after his late start to the season - are also in both squads.

Ashes opener Carberry was outspoken about his omission from the team in an ODI series against Australia last winter, having fared well in the 50-over format when England took on the same opponents at home.

That was under then limited-overs coach Ashley Giles, however, and the 33-year-old Hampshire batsman - uncapped in Twenty20s - is back at the start of Peter Moores' regime.

He appears set to challenge for a Twenty20 opening spot, alongside Alex Hales, with Bell - who has not played in the sprint format in more than three years.

In a 14-man list initially for the first three of five ODIs against Sri Lanka, Bresnan and Carberry are added to the 13 who were chosen to face Scotland, with Moeen Ali dropping out.

National selector James Whitaker revealed Carberry was close to earning a place in England's squad for the forgettable ICC World Twenty20 campaign, but ultimately missed out.

With several batsmen failing to make their mark, the left-hander has now been given his chance to succeed having impressed in the shorter formats with Hampshire.

"Michael's deserved his chance, he was very close to playing in our Twenty20 squad in the World Cup that's just gone," Whitaker told Sky Sports News.

"He's been a consistent performer in T20 cricket and one-day cricket for Hampshire over the last two or three years, so he's fully deserved his chance and we look forward to seeing him do well in those opportunities he's going to get, possibly."

Whitaker feels the experience Bell can bring to the T20 side will be invaluable, despite the Warwickshire batsman only having seven international caps in the shortest form, the last of which came over three years ago.

"Ian Bell's been in and around that Twenty20 squad before, he's only played a limited amount of games some time ago but we feel with his experience now, in a developing squad towards the World Cup in a couple of years' time, that Ian Bell can offer us some top order presence and experience," Whitaker added.

Moeen was a surprise omission from the 50-over set-up despite admirable - if unspectacular - displays in the three ODI matches in the West Indies a couple of months ago.

It has led to some suggesting Moeen, a batting all-rounder, is being groomed for Test selection, but Whitaker would not be drawn on the issue.

"Moeen's started well this year again, he had a good season last year for Worcestershire and he's forcing himself into the squads for all forms of cricket," Whitaker said.

"We're monitoring him closely for the longer game but just at the moment we like our balance in the ODI side for Sri Lanka."

Crucially, Whitaker has revealed that the door is not closed to anyone and players such as Luke Wright and Jade Dernbach can force their way back into the set-up by performing well with their county sides this summer.

"I always say to the players 'the door's open'," Whitaker added.

"All these players who've been in and around the fringe, who've been involved before, will have great opportunities to show us their talents."

England squad for the NatWest International T20 against Sri Lanka:

EJG Morgan (Middlesex, capt), MM Ali (Worcestershire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), RS Bopara (Essex), TT Bresnan (Yorkshire), JC Buttler (Lancashire), MA Carberry (Hampshire), HF Gurney (Nottinghamshire), AD Hales (Nottinghamshire), CJ Jordan (Sussex), JE Root (Yorkshire), JC Tredwell (Kent), CR Woakes (Warwickshire).

England squad for the first three matches of the five-game Royal London One-Day Series against Sri Lanka:

AN Cook (Essex, capt), JM Anderson (Lancashire), GS Ballance (Yorkshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), RS Bopara (Essex), TT Bresnan (Yorkshire), JC Buttler (Lancashire), MA Carberry (Hampshire), HF Gurney (Nottinghamshire), CJ Jordan (Sussex), EJG Morgan (Middlesex), JE Root (Yorkshire), JC Tredwell (Kent), CR Woakes (Warwickshire).

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