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England have named three uncapped players in their 12-man squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's, with Liam Plunkett returning to the international fold.
Middlesex opener Sam Robson, Worcestershire left-hander and off-spinner Moeen Ali and Sussex paceman Chris Jordan are the new faces, with Matt Prior fit to be named as the wicketkeeper for the first of two Test matches, which gets underway at Lord's on Thursday 12th January.
Yorkshire fast bowler Plunkett last played a Test match in January 2025, but has been rewarded for a return to top form since his move from Durham to Headingley.
His fellow Tyke Gary Ballance is handed another chance to bed himself down in the middle-order and Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes is also included in the party.
Notable names to miss out include Michael Carberry, who opened the batting throughout the winter Ashes series, paceman Steven Finn and all-rounder Ben Stokes, who only recently returned to action after a hand injury.
Squad:Alastair Cook (Essex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Sam Robson (Middlesex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).
And National Selector James Whitaker believes that the likes of Moeen, Robson, Jordan and Woakes - who have all impressed with the England Performance Programme and the Lions recently - will help bring a freshness to a side looking to build again after an Ashes whitewash.
He said: "We believe that this group of emerging talent will be very well complimented by the established core of experienced players that have been selected."
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