BROAD SELECTED IN 13-MAN SQUAD FOR 1ST INVESTEC ASHES TEST

Stuart Broad has been named in England’s 13-man squad for the 1^st Investec Ashes Test beginning on Wednesday 8 July at the SSE SWALEC, Cardiff.

The 29-year-old fast bowler warmed-up for the series with a fine all-round performance for Nottinghamshire against Yorkshire at Headingley, recording bowling figures of 7-84 and contributing scores of 34 and 50 with the bat.

The 2015 campaign, which includes the 4th Investec Test at Trent Bridge starting Thursday 6 August, will be the fifth Ashes series of Broad’s career. Warwickshire’s Ian Bell is embarking on his seventh campaign against the old enemy having first featured in 2005.

Adil Rashid is the only player in the squad uncapped at Test level. The Yorkshire leg-spinner is one of seven squad members - alongside Moeen Ali, Gary Ballance, Jos Buttler, Adam Lyth, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood - who are yet to play in a home Ashes series.

“There are no huge surprises in the squad," said National Selector James Whitaker. "Adil Rashid’s inclusion provides Alastair and Trevor with plenty of bowling options and the surface at Cardiff will dictate who makes the final XI.

“Within the squad there are players who have plenty of experience of Ashes cricket and that knowledge will I’m sure be useful for the players who are yet to experience a home Ashes series.

“There has been some very good cricket played so far this summer and we are aware that we will need to build on that over the next seven weeks if we are to win back the Ashes.

“On behalf of the selectors I’d like to congratulate the 13 players selected for the first Investec Test and wish them as well as Trevor all the very best for what will I’m sure be a very competitive and entertaining series.”

England squad to face Australia in the 1st Invested Ashes Test (from): Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Adam Lyth, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood.

Tickets for Day 5 of the otherwise sold out Fourth Investec Ashes Test at Trent Bridge are still available priced at just £20. Don't miss the chance to watch the sport's most historic contest and secure your seats now.