Chris Woakes. Photo Getty
Young fast bowler Chris Woakes was the one new face as
England named their squad for the test series in New Zealand,
the 23-year-old replacing injured Tim Bresnan.
Bresnan's elbow problem means he will be rested, handing
Warwickshire's Woakes a chance to stake his claim for the
Ashes series against Australia later this year.
The other 14 players were all part of the England squad which
won the recent away test series in India.
Woakes, 23, made his senior international debut in a Twenty20
game against Australia in 2011 but national selector Geoff
Miller said this was a chance for him to broaden his
experience in the longer format.
"With Tim Bresnan unavailable while his elbow is assessed
there is a good opportunity for Chris Woakes to gain further
experience in the international environment," Miller said in
a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
"Woakes has impressed on the England Performance Programme
and with England Lions and Warwickshire in recent years as
well as with England in the limited overs formats."
Bresnan underwent elbow surgery in 2011 and has struggled to
recapture his best form, failing to take a wicket in the two
tests he was selected for in India.
"We have a busy international summer ahead of us and the
medical team felt this was an ideal opportunity for Bresnan
to take some time out to ensure his elbow is functioning
effectively," Miller said.
The first of the three tests against New Zealand starts in
Dunedin on March 6.
England test squad: Alastair Cook (capt), James Anderson,
Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Nick Compton, Steven
Finn, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt
Prior, Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.
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