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London: Gary Ballance has been included in England’s World Cup squad as the England and Wales Cricket Board announced a 15-man squad for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand that did not include Alastair Cook.
Alastair Cook has not been included in the 15-man England squad that will represent the country in the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early next year. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Saturday that Eoin Morgan will take over the one-day captaincy but Cook will continue to lead the Test side. Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance was included in the new look team.
"England selectors today announced a 15-man squad for the tri-series against Australia and India next month and the ICC Cricket World Cup. Selectors have made three changes to the one-day squad that lost 5-2 to Sri Lanka earlier this month.
"Led by Eoin Morgan, James Anderson and Stuart Broad return from injury with batsman Gary Ballance also included. Alastair Cook, Ben Stokes and Harry Gurney are the three players to miss out from the most recent one-day squad," the ECB release said.
Explaining the selection, England's national selector, James Whitaker, said: "We have had to make some difficult decisions to get to our final squad but firmly believe that the 15 players selected offer the very best chance of success at the World Cup.
Asked if Kevin Pietersen was considered for selection, Whitaker said, "No. The ECB made a decision on Pietersen in January and that is still the same."
However, the big talking point of the announcement was Cook's omission from the squad with World Cup just less than two months away. Cook, who is turning 30 on Christmas Day, said he was obviously "gutted" to know that he won't be a part of the World Cup.
The squad will leave for Australia on 6 January for a tri-series against Australia and India ahead of the World Cup. England will open their World Cup campaign on 14 February against Australia in Melbourne.
England One-Day squad for World Cup and Tri-series:
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, captain)
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Gary Ballance (Yorkshire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wk)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Jordan (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
James Taylor (Nottinghamshire)
James Tredwell (Kent)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
