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World Twenty20: England announce squad, including uncapped duo Moeen Ali and Stephen Parry

The touring party of course sees no Kevin Pietersen

Agency
Thursday 06 February 2014 13:37 GMT
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Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali (GETTY IMAGES)

England have included uncapped duo Moeen Ali and Stephen Parry in their World Twenty20 squad, with fellow newcomer Harry Gurney in the group for the limited-overs tour of the West Indies which precedes the tournament in Bangladesh.

Having stated its intention to rebuild by ending Kevin Pietersen's international career, the England and Wales Cricket Board began that process in earnest by summoning Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen and Lancashire spinner Parry.

They form part of a 15-man squad that will take on the world in the shortest format in Bangladesh next month, with the same group in place for the warm-up trip to Barbados and Antigua, with Nottinghamshire seamer Gurney on hand as an additional bowler.

Moeen, 26, is primarily a batting all-rounder and has seemed on the cusp of an England call-up for the last couple of years.

He is the primary beneficiary of Pietersen's absence, with a space created in the squad by the 33-year-old's axeing.

Meanwhile Parry, 28, has profited from Graeme Swann's retirement.

England have not yet settled on a spin bowling replacement but Scott Borthwick, Danny Briggs and Simon Kerrigan have not taken the chances that have come their way in the last six months, leaving the way clear for slow left-armer Parry.

National Selector James Whitaker, who has recently inherited the role from Geoff Miller, said: "We would like to congratulate Moeen Ali and Stephen Parry on their selection for the tour to the Caribbean and then to represent England in the ICC World Twenty20. It is an exciting opportunity for Moeen and Stephen and all the England players.

"Both Moeen and Stephen have been very consistent performers for Worcestershire and Lancashire and both counties, and their coaching staffs, must take credit for their continued progress.

"Harry Gurney, under the guidance of the excellent coaches at Trent Bridge, has performed well for Nottinghamshire in limited overs cricket - showing good control with the white ball and, as a left arm quick, brings some variety to the tour party.

"England have won the ICC World Twenty20 before - in 2010 in the Caribbean - and this group has an exciting mix of youth and Twenty20 experience and I am sure with good preparation, desire and determination they will be able to produce an exciting brand of cricket."

Twenty20 skipper Stuart Broad will captain on both tours, including the three one-day internationals in West Indies in Alastair Cook's absence, with Eoin Morgan his deputy.

Barbados-born paceman Chris Jordan has only marginally more experience than Parry and Moeen, playing his only international Twenty20 in the final match of the ill-fated Australia tour.

He joins a seam attack led by Broad, Tim Bresnan and Jade Dernbach and bolstered by all-rounders Ben Stokes, Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright.

Steven Finn, who was considered 'unselectable' this winter, apparently remains so and Boyd Rankin also drops out having featured in the Twenty20 squad Down Under.

James Tredwell travels as the senior spinner, with Parry in support, while Moeen and Joe Root can also chip in.

Jos Buttler, a rare chink of light during dark times in Australia, is the only specialist wicket-keeper, with no place for Jonny Bairstow, while openers Alex Hales and Michael Lumb complete the group.

Squad for West Indies tour

Stuart Broad (captain), Eoin Morgan (vice captain), Moeen Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Harry Gurney, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Michael Lumb, Stephen Parry, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell, Luke Wright

Squad for Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh

Stuart Broad (captain), Eoin Morgan (vice captain), Moeen Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Michael Lumb, Stephen Parry, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell, Luke Wright

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