Read and Franks in Academy squad

By Ananova
July 11 2002

England have included Chris Read and Paul Franks in a 20-man provisional squad which will form the nucleus of players due to go to the Academy this winter.

Academy Director Rod Marsh announced a list of names including those of Nottinghamshire pair Read and Franks, both of whom have played senior international cricket for England over the last few years without establishing themselves. They are joined by two players who could even be named in the senior squad for this winter's Ashes tour, with Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell and Glamorgan fast bowler Simon Jones also named in the provisional list of players.

Every player on the list will now be filmed in action and have their fitness monitored on a regular basis to give Marsh and his coaching team a comprehensive record of their capabilities before they choose the final squad that will again be based in Adelaide before Christmas.

Only four players - Bell, Jones, Glamorgan wicketkeeper Mark Wallace and Chris Tremlett of Hampshire - survive from last year's squad while Middlesex's Irish batsman Ed Joyce is also included.

"There is a variance in the age-group but that is because players mature at different levels," said Marsh. "If we saw a 25-year-old spinner who we thought could play for England then he would be in the squad - age is not a barrier."

Alongside the more experienced members of the party are several youngsters like 17-year-old Yorkshire fast bowler Tim Bresnan, 19-year-old Lancashire all-rounder Kyle Hogg and 20-year-old Northamptonshire left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. But it is the selection of Read and Franks that is likely to cause the most debate, two years after either player was involved in an England squad selection.

"I've just picked those players that are available and those players that I think can play for England," said Marsh. "What happened in the past is nothing to do with me - when I started this job the slate was wiped clean."

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