Collingwood out as Morgan gets Bangladesh call
Collingwood out as Morgan gets Bangladesh call
LONDON: Paul Collingwood has been ruled out of England''s two-Test series against Bangladesh with a shoulder injury, it was announced on Sunday.
But batsman Eoin Morgan, who played in the side captained by Collingwood that last Sunday won the World Twenty20 final against Australia in Barbados, has been called up into a 12-man Test squad for the Bangladesh series opener, which starts at the Middle+++ left-hander''s Lord''s home ground on Thursday.
Meanwhile England fast bowler Stuart Broad will miss the series in order to undergo a "strengthening programme".
Collingwood''s absence has created room in the Test squad for 23-year-old former Ireland batsman Morgan, although South Africa-born Jonathan Trott also remains in contention.
For middle-order batsman Collingwood, a mainstay of England''s team across all three formats -- Tests, one-dayers and Twenty20 -- a left shoulder injury sustained during the World Twenty20 will give him a break from the international treadmill.
"Paul will undergo a period of rehabilitation for a shoulder injury and has been ruled out of the Test series against Bangladesh," England national selector Geoff Miller said after announcing the Lord''s squad on Sunday.
"There''s a need for Stuart to undertake an intensive strengthening programme before an arduous summer and a busy winter, and the next three weeks have been identified as the ideal period for this programme.
"We believe we''ve selected an exciting squad - and with Paul Collingwood and Stuart Broad taking no part in this series, the opportunity arises for a number of younger players to make a mark at Test level."
Turning to Morgan, former England off-spinner Miller added: "Eoin Morgan has impressed everyone since his inclusion in England''s one-day squad and he now has the opportunity to play a role in the Test team.
"He has always held ambitions of playing across all forms of the game, and we believe he has earned his place in this Test squad."
Morgan''s county colleague Steven Finn retains his place in the Test squad, the fast bowler having played in both of England''s wins in Bangladesh two months ago.
Their fellow Middle+++ team-mate Andrew Strauss returns to captain the side, having been rested from the Bangladesh tour and then missing the World Twenty20 as the opener has opted out of international cricket''s shortest format.
Regular Test wicketkeeper Matt Prior returns while there is also a place for Yorkshire quick Ajmal Shahzad in a squad missing injured quick Graham Onions.
"We were encouraged by Steven Finn''s Test debut in Bangladesh during the winter, and he has had a fine start to the domestic season for Middle+++," Miller said.
"He is aware of what is involved at the international level -- and along with Ajmal Shahzad, who has also made a bright start to the county season after touring Bangladesh over the (northern) winter, offers us a great deal of depth in the bowling ranks."
Alastair Cook, who captained England in Bangladesh, is set to resume his opening partnership with Strauss.
As well as Collingwood and Broad, other players from England''s victorious side in the Caribbean not selected for Lord''s include openers Michael Lumb and wicketkeeper/batsman Craig Kieswetter, left-arm pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom, left-arm spinner Michael Yardy and all-rounder Luke Wright.
The four ''survivors'' are Morgan, star batsman Kevin Pietersen, seamer Tim Bresnan and off-spinner Graeme Swann.
Paceman James Anderson, in the squad in the Caribbean but who didn''t play, is in England''s 12 for Lord''s as is batsman Ian Bell.
"We were all delighted and extremely proud of the way the Twenty20 squad performed at the ICC World Twenty20," said Miller.
The second Test starts at Old Trafford on June 4.
England first Test squad
Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkt), Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Ajmal Shahzad
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