England's Test Squad for Series Against New Zealand Termed as "Hilarious"

Following a 4-0 Ashes humiliation against the Aussies, it was up to the England team and their team management to make sure that their selection for the next series against the Kiwis doesn’t become a laughing stock. The squad for the Test series against New Zealand in March was announced on Thursday morning and the selection procedure was criticized by all and sundry.

The top and the middle order looks pretty much the same and some of the exclusions are simply baseless. The squad includes all-rounder Ben Stokes, uncapped Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone and the return of Mark Wood for the two-match series. James Vince and Mark Stoneman have retained their places despite mediocre Ashes. Meanwhile, Jake Ball and Tom Curran who was part of just a couple of matches individually faced the axe. However, the most surprising exclusion was that of Garry Balance who didn’t get a single opportunity during the Ashes.

Now he has been axed without been given a chance to have a shot at the New Zealand series. Following the squad announcement, former Aussie batsman Dean Jones labelled the selection as nothing less than “hilarious”.

“That’s hilarious… Gary Balance didn’t even play a bloody game!! So it’s his fault.. too funny,” Jones wrote.

That’s hilarious… Gary Balance didn’t even play a bloody game!! So it’s his fault.. too funny. https://t.co/5LKH1fHlBd

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) January 10, 2018

What was the point in taking Ballance to Aus and then dropping him? ? Stoneman looks class at times but is Vince the answer? (His classy drive aside)

— Danny Hall (@dannyhall04) January 10, 2018

https://twitter.com/willmartin19/status/951217025640206337

England is slated to play a couple of warm-up matches in Hamilton before the long winter season finally comes to an end with Tests in Auckland from March 22 and Christchurch on from March 30. Meanwhile, Liam Livingstone is the spare batsman in the squad and will likely push harder for a place in the team than Balance.

“Liam has been a player that we have been impressed with for quite some time, having performed well in the county system with Lancashire and over the past couple of years with the England Lions,” England selector James Whitaker said.

“He is a very talented and tough cricketer who has the ideal qualities and character to be successful in the Test arena. During the recent Lions tour of Australia, he was a standout performer and showed a lot of maturity in his attitude and put in some strong performances.” Meanwhile, it must be noted that Mark Wood would have been present for the Ashes in Australia had he been considered fit and ready for the challenge.

ENGLAND SQUAD: Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Here’s the Newsfeed: 

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