7 Jul 2013

Root to open in Ashes

1:30 pm on 7 July 2013

England cricket selectors have dropped opener Nick Compton from a 13-man squad to face Australia in the first Test beginning on Wednesday at Trent Bridge.

The selectors, have named Graham Onions as an extra pace-bowling option in an otherwise very predictable line-up.

The Test match return of Kevin Pietersen, out of action for three months after injuring his knee in New Zealand has also been confirmed.

The Twenty-two-year-old Joe Root will open for the first time in a Test, on Ashes debut, having previously batted exclusively in the middle order for his country.

England squad: AN Cook (Captain), JE Root, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, IR Bell, JM Bairstow, MJ Prior (wkt), GP Swann, SCJ Broad, ST Finn, JM Anderson, TT Bresnan, G Onions.