Gough recalled for Pakistan ODIs

Darren Gough’s return to the England setup following a year in the wilderness is imminent, provided he recovers from a swollen leg picked up on county duty this week. The selectors have named in the squad for the forthcoming ODI series against Pakistan today, after it was confirmed that the series would go ahead as expected.

For the moment, though, the two sides are set to play a Twenty20 International on Monday, followed by a five-match ODI series. Gough’s return to the side follows his omission from the winter tour squads – an omission that was brought about by his decision to appear on the television show “Strictly Come Dancing”, which he eventually ended up winning.

England have also called up uncapped Leicestershire paceman Stuart Broad, after the troubles their bowlers endured at the hands of Sri Lanka’s batsmen earlier in the summer, while Glen Chapple misses out in favour of Jon Lewis. In the absence of Andrew Flintoff, Simon Jones, Ashley Giles and Liam Plunkett, England’s bowling attack will have a distinctly unfamiliar look to it – but the presence of Gough could lend valuable experience to a team that looked helpless at times against Sri Lanka.

Andrew Strauss will continue as captain, while Ed Joyce gets another opportunity at the top of the order following his cruel injury on debut. Ian Bell’s chances of a slot have surely improved following his outstanding Test series, while Surrey’s Rikki Clarke has found himself thrust back into the reckoning for a place in the middle order. Chris Read will replace Geraint Jones once again, as England look for continuity, while Sussex’s Michael Yardy gets his first call-up as a batting all-rounder.

England squad:
Andrew Strauss (captain), Chris Read (wicketkeeper), Marcus Trescothick, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Ed Joyce, Paul Collingwood, Rikki Clarke, Jamie Dalrymple, Stuart Broad, Darren Gough, Sajid Mahmood, Steve Harmison, Michael Yardy, Jon Lewis.