London, Sept 28: England have announced their 15-man squad for the tour to India for the five-match ODI series and one T20I beginning October 14, 2011.
Kevin Pietersen, who was rested for the recently concluded ODI series against India in England and Twenty20 matches against West Indies, has been recalled into the side while pacer James Anderson will be rested for the tour to India. According to the ECB website, 20-year-old Ben Stokes has been left out of the squad so he can undergo a rehabilitation programme on a finger injury.
The England team includes one uncapped player, Surrey pace bowler Stuart Meaker. Meaker has spent the last two winters on a fast bowling programme before making his debut for England Lions against Sri Lanka A this summer. Also, two additional players, Jos Buttler of Somerset and Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales, will join the squad ahead of the Twenty20 fixture on October 29.
The South-African born Meaker said on Surrey TV, "This is a very proud day for me. It's something I've worked my whole life to achieve. It's a proud day for my family and for the club too.”
"This is something I've been looking forward to since first playing for Surrey as a young man and I've been looking forward to making this dream come true."
He further added, "I've been lucky enough to be involved in the ECB skill sets in the past, as well as the development tours they send people on and I've also been lucky enough to be involved with the England Lions in the summer.
"I wasn't expecting this so soon but it was definitely in my sights at some point in the future. It's just come sooner than I thought."
The squad also contains Durham leg-spinner Scott Borthwick , Yorkshire batsman Jonny Bairstow, and Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes.
National selector Geoff Miller was quoted by the website saying, "This squad contains an exciting balance of experienced international cricketers along with some very talented younger players who can play the high quality limited-overs cricket needed to challenge India.”
"A number of injuries and a decision to omit James Anderson in line with our policy of sensibly managing player workloads give opportunities for other very talented players to continue to develop as international cricketers.
"We had a promising one-day series win over India earlier this month and this squad will be looking forward to the challenge of continuing that success in the sub-continent over the next four weeks.
"The additions to the squad for the Twenty20 fixture will strengthen the squad and provide Jos Buttler and Alex Hales with valuable experience of playing on the sub-continent.
"Stuart Broad is currently undergoing a period of rehabilitation for a shoulder injury. However, he will join the squad in India if he completes his rehabilitation programme ahead of schedule. Graeme Swann will once again lead the Twenty20 side if Stuart is unable to join the squad."
England ODI squad for India
Alastair Cook (ODI captain)
Jonathan Bairstow
Ian Bell
Ravi Bopara
Scott Borthwick
Tim Bresnan
Jade Dernbach
Steven Finn
Craig Kieswetter
Stuart Meaker
Samit Patel
Kevin Pietersen
Graeme Swann (T20 captain, in Stuart Broad’s absence)
Jonathan Trott
Chris Woakes
For T20I only
Jos Buttler and Alex Hales
