England To Name Test Squad On Thursday

10 May 2016 | Cricket
The England squad for the 1st Investec Test against Sri Lanka beginning on Thursday May 19 at Headingley will be announced via ecb.co.uk on Thursday May 12, at 7.00am (BST).

The England Test squad will be named along with the 30-man England Performance squad.

After the retirement of James Taylor due to a serious heart condition and the absence of Gary Ballance and Ian Bell from recent squads, there coud be a place for Hampshire's James Vince who has impressed in the early season.

Nick Compton faces a fight to retain his spot in the batting order at Number 3, while Alex Hales boosted his hopes of keeping his place as opener with a measured 73 for Nottinghamshire on Sunday.

Jake Ball, who has taken 24 first-class wickets for Notts this season so far, will also be in contention, alongside regular seamers James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn.

Jonny Bairstow has hit 198 and 246 for Yorkshire this season and appears to be a shoo-in, though he might yet relinquish the gloves to Lancashire's Jos Buttler, who has been away on IPL duty.

The squad will be announced at 7am on Thursday morning.