Eight Phoenix family members have been invited to return to training by the ECB. The Phoenix eight are:
- Joe Root (Yorkshire)
- Ben Stokes (Durham)
- Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
- Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
- Zak Crawley (Kent)
- James Vince (Hampshire)
- Mason Crane (Hampshire)
- Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
The sea change COVID-19 brought about has presented the ECB with the task of salvaging the 2020 international schedule.
Speculation points towards England’s men’s teams playing a compressed and even over-lapping season of cricket. At this time, it seems likely the ECB will name separate red and white ball squads.
The current expectation is that England will play the West Indies, Ireland and Pakistan over a shortened time frame.
The Phoenix eight will form part of a pool of 55 players. Such a large pool allows the selectors to look at various options before announcing their final squads.
While some players have already returned to training, this pool phase is the next step in the resumption of international cricket.
To ensure the safety of players and coaches, all training will take place with the support of the first-class counties.
(PhoenixMedia Image Created from a Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images for ECB)