Published: May 15, 2014, 05:20 PM (IST)
Edited: May 15, 2014, 05:20 PM (IST)
London: May 15, 2014
England’s national selector James Whitaker has admitted that he and the other selectors are ‘some way off’ from choosing the best Test team for the first match of the summer at Lord’s against Sri Lanka from June 12.
Whitaker, who heads a four-man selection panel, said Matt Prior and Jonny Bairstow were among several wicketkeepers being considered, with Lancashire’s Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter of Somerset also believed to be in contention.
According to the BBC, Whitaker said that he is being very open-minded about the Test selection although he revealed that 75-Test veteran Prior, who lost his place to Bairstow for the final two Tests of the 5-0 Ashes whitewash by Australia in the winter, is not guaranteed a recall even if he proves his fitness.
Whitaker, who replaced Geoffrey Miller as national selector in October, also said that he and fellow selectors Angus Fraser, Mick Newell and coach Peter Moores would use the next three weeks of Championship matches and the one-day series against Sri Lanka to narrow down their squad.
England also has question marks over captain Alastair Cook’s opening partner, a middle-order replacement for Kevin Pietersen, a spinner to succeed Graeme Swann and the third seamer’s berth, the report added.
