England pick two youngsters to reverse Pakistan fortunes
Published:England are set to give youth a chance on the upcoming one-day series with Pakistan, with two players to make big impressions with the English Lions receiving call ups.
Danny Briggs made his first big impression last season in county cricket with Hampshire and became the youngest spinner to 100 first-class wickets since Derek Underwood in the 1960s.
Meanwhile, he has continued to mature in the one-day arena with the English Lions, ending the tours of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with 16 wickets, at a top economy rate of just over 21.
It is likely that he has only been called up for experience, with England expected to opt for the spin of Graeme Swann and Samit Patel, while Kevin Pietersen can be called upon to chip in with a few additional overs if necessary.
However, there is the likelihood that Pakistan will pick two specialist spinners with Shahid Afridi as an all-rounder and with Patel capable of filling this role for England, Briggs may get an opportunity if England adopt a similar approach.
The other new addition is Somerset middle order big hitter Jos Buttler, who displayed his credentials in full with two centuries on the recent English Lions tour.
Buttler has also accrued some international experience through representing England in the T20 clashes with India last year.
Tim Bresnan is the final surprise addition given that his fitness is currently unknown, while Ian Bell has paid the penalty for a poor Test series where he averaged just over eight by being dropped.
England’s whitewash defeat in the three Tests with Pakistan should spur them on to some big performances and it is 5/2 in the cricket odds that they triumph in the four-game one-day series.
Meanwhile, 5/4 is the price that England get off to the optimum start with victory in the opening showdown in Abu Dhabi on February 13th.
