Woakes replaces Bresnan in England squad for New Zealand series

By Harry Kemble in India Thursday, January 24, 2013
3:28 PM

Chris Woakes has replaced Tim Bresnan in England’s 15-man Test squad for the three Test series to New Zealand in March.

The 23-year-old Warwickshire seamer’s inclusion is the only change from the pre-Christmas series in India, which England won 2-1.

Despite playing seven One-Day Internationals and three T20s, Woakes has yet to make his Test debut.

National selectors will no doubt be expecting the Birmingham-born all-rounder to flourish in New Zealand’s seamer friendly conditions, as he can swing the ball both ways.

Last summer, Woakes finished the county season with a batting average of 38.25 and with the ball his wickets cost just 25.56 runs apiece.

Bresnan has struggled for form since undergoing an elbow operation in December 2011, and will have the joint assessed back in the UK.

We have a busy international summer ahead of us and the medical team felt this was an ideal opportunity for Tim Bresnan to take some time out to ensure his elbow is functioning effectively,” Geoff Miller, England national selector, said. “Chris Woakes has impressed on the England Performance Programme and with England Lions and Warwickshire in recent years as well as with England in the limited overs formats. This is a good opportunity for him to gain further experience in the international environment.”

England Test squad

Alastair Cook (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Nick Compton, Steven Finn, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes