England Selectors bank on young Dernbach

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting from England

While the Sri Lankans flew into London licking their wounds after their astonishing loss to England in First Npower Test at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff, England buoyant after their seeming impossible victory included Jade Dernbach in their 12 for the Second Test starting at Lord’s on Friday.

Cricket critics here were discussing the likely inclusion of either Graham Onions, Ajmal Shahazad or Steven Finn after the injury to their main hit man James Anderson. But the England selectors went for Jade Dernbach.

Dernbach a right arm medium fast bowler scalped nine wickets for England Lions against Sri Lanka which game the Lankans came from behind to snatch a victory after being asked to follow on in Derbyshire.

Dernbach is the only uncapped player in the England 12 which is unchanged. He was in the England 2011 World Cup squad for the quarter-final game against Sri Lanka but failed to get into the final eleven.

England selector Geoff Miller said after announcing the squad: ‘It’s been disappointing to lose James Anderson for the next Test as he is world class and leader of the attack. But we are fortunate to have a healthy stock of fast men.

‘We are hopeful Anderson will be available for the Third Test. But in the meantime we are excited by James Dernbach’s inclusion. Dernbach is a talented young bowler after excelling with the England Performance Program over the winter where he enjoyed considerable success for the England Lions prior to the First Test’.

But whether Dernbach wins his Test cap or not will depend on the wicket and the conditions. The England selectors will not name their playing eleven until they have a look at the wicket.

The Lankan batsmen were struggling against the seam and swing of Dernbach. None of the batsmen could play with confidence and if Dernbach is fronted up against them it will be interesting to see how they will counter him this time round. It will be a toss-up between Steve Finn and James Dernbach. England has no worries after their wonderful victory in Cardiff. They are exuding confidence going in to the Lord’s Test and will be looking to chalk up another convincing victory and add to their ambition of being the best in world cricket.

England 12: Andrew Strauss (C), Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Greame Swann, Chris Tremlett, Jonathon Trott.

Wednesday