Derbyshire paceman Mark Footitt has been named in England’s 14-man squad for the fourth Investec Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, starting on Thursday 6 August.
The left-arm paceman, who ended the 2014 season as the country’s leading wicket taker, will join the England squad as replacement for the injured James Anderson.
The 28-year-old was the county’s standout seamer last summer, claiming 106 wickets in all competitions, the most by a Derbyshire bowler since Brian Jackson and Harold Rhodes in 1965. He has continued to lead the way with the ball in 2015, claiming 50 wickets in 11 first-class appearances this summer, at 23 apiece.
Footitt is the first Derbyshire player to be named in an England Test squad since Dominic Cork in 2002.
#BREAKING! @footitt_mark selected as part of 14-man squad for fourth Investec #Ashes Test. More to follow #P2bD pic.twitter.com/gFDUBiLyAI
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) August 1, 2015
Elite Performance Director, Graeme Welch said: “Everyone at Derbyshire is delighted for Mark. He has worked extremely hard over the last two years and has shown time and time again what he can do for the county.
“He fully deserves his chance on the international stage and if he plays we know he’ll do a great job.”
Chairman, Chris Grant added: “We would like to congratulate Mark on his call-up to the England squad for the fourth Ashes Test. It’s great news for Mark and for the Club and represents the progress we are making here at Derbyshire.
“We want to produce England cricketers and, with Mark, we hope he is the first of many Derbyshire players to go on to represent their country.”
National selector, James Whitaker commented: “With James Anderson missing this Test through injury and some concerns over Mark Wood’s workload in the build up to the last Test we felt that bringing in two extra bowlers in Liam Plunkett and Mark Footitt was necessary.
“The reports on Wood are positive at this stage and we are hopeful he’ll be available for selection on Thursday.
“Congratulations to Liam and Mark on their selection and on behalf of the selectors I’d like to wish Alastair and Trevor all the very best for the fourth Test. The performance at Edgbaston this week was very encouraging and it is important we build on that next week at Trent Bridge.”
England squad for 4th Investec Ashes Test
Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt)
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Mark Footitt (Derbyshire)
Adam Lyth (Yorkshire)
Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Mark Wood (Durham)
Leicestershire Foxes are the next visitors to The 3aaa County Ground on Tuesday 4 August. Kids go FREE to all of Derbyshire’s home Royal London One-Day Cup matches whilst Adults can save £4 on their admission by purchasing in advance.
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