England name team for first Ashes Test against Australia

James Anderson and Stuart Broad have both been named in England’s team for the first Ashes Test against Australia.

Given England’s settled top-order and the return of all-rounder Moeen Ali, the biggest question over the team to play at Edgbaston on Friday was the bowling line-up.

Anderson has been passed fit after sitting out of the emphatic victory over Ireland and is joined in the team by his long-time opening bowling partner Stuart Broad.

Broad is picked ahead of Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue after taking his 20th Test five-wicket haul against Ireland.

Ollie Robinson also plays after recovering from a minor ankle problem, with Moeen selected as the team’s first-choice spinner after coming out of Test retirement to play in the Ashes.

England expected Jack Leach to play a key role in the series but the Somerset spinner has been ruled out of the Ashes with a back stress fracture.

Jonny Bairstow retains the gloves after making his return from a broken leg against Ireland, though he did not bat at Lord’s.

England hope Ben Stokes will provide some overs despite not bowling in the first Test of the summer and visibly struggling in the field.

The middle-order consists of Stokes, Harry Brook and Joe Root, while England will look for top-order runs from openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett and No. 3 Ollie Pope.

Pope, who is England’s vice-captain this summer, scored his maiden double century against Ireland, while Duckett hit his first home hundred against a beleaguered Irish attack.

More to follow…