Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / ENGLAND
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Cricket Contents:  Future tour dates | England | International Teams | Counties | Women's cricket | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Test Match Special

09:33 GMT, Friday, 30 May 2008 10:33 UK

Ambrose called into one-day squad

Tim Ambrose

Wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose has been called up to England's one-day squad for the series against New Zealand.

Ambrose, who has played the last five Tests since taking over from Matt Prior, replaces Phil Mustard and is the only uncapped player in a 14-man squad.

Spinner James Tredwell is the other player dropped from the squad beaten 3-1 in New Zealand during the winter.

Paul Collingwood's side will play five one-day matches as well as one Twenty20 international against the tourists.

Ambrose has struggled for runs during the Test series but the selectors believe the 25-year-old Warwickshire player has the ability to establish himself as England's keeper in all forms of the game.

Durham's Phil Mustard, who averaged just 22.8 during 10 one-day internationals over the winter, and Sussex's Prior, the leading scorer in County Championship cricket, were both overlooked.

The selectors also discounted all-rounder Andrew Flintoff because he is only halfway through a six-week rehabilitation programme after suffering a side strain.

Ambrose is expected to bat in the middle order with Sussex all-rounder Like Wright replacing Mustard as opener.

606: DEBATE
"Should Alastair Cook really be part of England's one-day plans?"
BBC Sport's Paul Grunill

"My goal at the start of the summer was to play in both formats so this is a good opportunity to establish myself," said Ambrose.

"I've been playing for the last three or four seasons in the middle order and have been trying to learn how to play that style of the game.

"I enjoy batting in that area of the innings. I think it's the toughest role to play in one-day cricket and it's a great challenge, but if it comes off towards the end of the innings whether you're setting or chasing it's a great feeling."

"We're aware of the need to identify a player who can take over the opener's role"
National selector Geoff Miller

National selector Geoff Miller said: "Tim Ambrose has already shown that he has the temperament and the ability required to succeed in Test cricket and his selection reflects our desire to use the same wicket-keeper in both the long and short forms of the game.

"Phil Mustard will, of course, be disappointed not to have been selected on this occasion but he remains a player of terrific potential and we will continue to monitor his performances closely along with a number of other wicket-keepers in domestic cricket.

"We're aware of the need to identify a player who can take over the opener's role from Phil and play in a positive manner at the start of the innings.

"We do have a number of options available within the squad and we will make a final decision as to who will fulfil this role once we have had further discussions with the captain and coach prior to the start of the series."

Andrew Strauss has opened in both Tests so far this summer but has not been included in the squad for the limited-overs series.

The two teams play a Twenty20 international on 13 June, four days after the end of the Test series, and the first one-dayer will be on 15 June.


England one-day squad:
Paul Collingwood (Durham, capt), Alastair Cook (Essex), Tim Ambrose (Warks, wkt), Ian Bell (Warks), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Luke Wright (Sussex), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Dimitri Mascarenhas (Hampshire), Stuart Broad (Notts), Ryan Sidebottom (Notts), James Anderson (Lancs), Graeme Swann (Notts), Chris Tremlett (Hampshire).




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Injured Ryder misses one-dayers (29 May 08 |  New Zealand )
New Zealand seal series victory (23 Feb 08 |  England )
Flintoff doubtful for one-dayers (27 May 08 |  England )
England selector drops Read hint (13 May 08 |  England )
New Zealand in England in 2008 (12 May 08 |  Cricket )
England in New Zealand 2008 (26 Mar 08 |  Cricket )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
England and Wales Cricket Board
Your say on 606
New Zealand Cricket
Scorecards on Mobiles
Download our cricket masks
Five Live Cricket
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Cricket Contents:  Future tour dates | England | International Teams | Counties | Women's cricket | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Test Match Special

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©