England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced their squad for the upcoming Test series against Ireland which will start on June 1, 2023.
Destructive wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow has been recalled in the place of Ben Foakes for next month’s one-off Test against Ireland.
James Anderson, who suffered a groin injury last week in the County Championship, is also included in the 15-man squad.
While addressing the issue of dropping Foakes, ECB's managing director Rob Key said: “It was a seriously tough decision to leave Ben Foakes out of the squad.
"He has been excellent for England in the last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about.”
Fast bowlers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes will be making their return as well.
On the other hand, pacer Jofra Archer is set to miss the Ireland series along with the upcoming Ashes 2023 after being ruled out for the summer season with a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow.
“It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer. He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously. We wish him the best of luck with his recovery. I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than later,” Rob Key said.
The 28-year-old last featured in a Test match in February 2021.
The latest setback also puts him in doubt for the upcoming 50-over ICC World Cup in India.
Archer, who took 22 wickets for England during the 2019 Ashes, would be a big miss in the Ashes 2023.
England Squad: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Ireland Squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Tom Mayes, Andrew McBrine, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Conor Olphert, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.