Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow axed as Jofra Archer returns in new look England squad for Australia series

English selectors, on Monday, decided to axe Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali for the white ball series against Australia. The two teams will begin with 3 T20I matches followed by 5-match ODI matches. 

Jos Buttler will lead the side in both formats as the new-look side has a host of new faces. Pace bowling sensation Jofra Archer is back as he has been named in both squads. The 29-year-old has been bowling impressively since his return from long-standing injuries. 

The English selectors have also named a host of new names to feature in the series. Jordan Cox and Dan Mousley, have been called up for the T20I series. Jacob Bethell has been given his maiden call-up to the T20 and ODI series along with Jamie Smith. John Turner and Josh Hull have been named in the squad for both the formats of the game. 

End of the road for the English duo?

It was a surprising decision to axe Joe Root from the ODI format. The former England skipper is the second-best run scorer for England in the ODI format. Joe Root has played 171 matches and scored 6522 runs with an average of 47. The veteran star has also scored 16 ODI centuries which is the most by any England batter. 

Interestingly, this is the first ODI match for England since their World Cup campaign last year. Jonny Bairstow is another casualty as his mixed bag form with the bat has seen him lose his place in the side. 

Jonny Bairstow has so far played 107 ODI matches and scored 3868 runs with 11 tons and 17 fifties. The veteran batter has a career average of just under 43 and his strike rate of 102.9 is the 3rd best for any England batter to have played over 100 matches. 

The three-match T20 series starts on 11th September with the matches to be played in Southampton, Cardiff, and Manchester. The ODI matches begin on 19th September with Nottingham, Leeds, Durham, Lord’s and Bristol set to host the matches. 

England Squad for T20I series vs Australia

Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, John Turner 

England Squad for ODI series vs Australia

Jos Buttler(c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Reece Topley, John Turner