England name preliminary squad for 2011 Cricket World Cup

England name preliminary squad for 2011 Cricket World Cup

England have un-ravelled their preliminary 30-member squad a day before the December 19 deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The deadline is December 19 for all participating teams except Pakistan, what with the troubled Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) struggling with match- and spot-fixing scandals that have forced them to delay their squad announcement. The ICC has given the PCB till January 5 to announce the Pakistan squad.

The English squad consists mostly of national players who have impressed in the T20 and ODI formats as well as done well in domestic competitions in England.

"We have selected a squad of players with a strong track record in limited-overs cricket either for England or in the domestic game,” said national selector Geoff Miller. “Recent series have shown we have made progress in one-day cricket and we will be looking to continue this form during next year's World Cup and challenge for another global title."

The squad also includes Matthew Prior and Alastair Cook, who are not part of England’s current ODI team and will not be taking part in the limited-overs series in Australia that will follow the current Ashes series after it concludes at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 6. That seven-match ODI series will end on February 6 at the WACA Ground, mere days before the start of the World Cup, by when England’s final 15 for the tournament will have already been named.

The injured Stuart Broad has also been named in the 30-man squad despite being ruled out of the rest of England’s tour of Australia.

James Adams, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, James Hildreth, Michael Lumb and Darren Stevens, all of whom are yet to be given a run at the ODI stage, have also been named but are unlikely to be included in the final team. Lumb and Craig Kieswetter, who have both of late been labelled T20 specialists only, have also been included in the 30-man squad.

A surprise call-up has been Samit Patel, the all-rounder from Nottinghamshire who played well for England in the few opportunities he got but failed to cement his place due to fitness troubles. Many believe that Patel does not have the requisite attitude towards the game, despite his obvious talent. But Miller had words of encouragement for the overweight cricketer.

"Samit Patel has also been included in this preliminary squad and - along with every other player named - will be required to meet individual fitness criteria before the squad is finalised," said Miller. "There is still some time to pass before the final squad is selected so all 30 players have sufficient time to press for selection."

Another surprise recall, along with Patel, is fast bowler Liam Plunkett, whose career tapered off after an impressive debut in the 2005 series against Pakistan.

England has yet to win the most coveted prize in ODI cricket, despite making it to three finals.

The 30-man squad announced for England is as follows:

Andrew Strauss (Middlesex, capt), James Adams (Hampshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Alastair Cook (Essex), Steven Davies (Surrey), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Steven Finn (Middlesex), James Hildreth (Somerset), Craig Kieswetter (Somerset), Michael Lumb (Hampshire), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), James Tredwell (Kent), Chris Tremlett (Surrey), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex), Michael Yardy (Sussex)