England name unchanged squad for first two Ashes Tests

Josh Tongue, who made his international debut against Ireland, retains his spot in the bowling ranks but wicketkeeper Ben Foakes is once again overlooked

England have named an unchanged 16-strong squad for the first two Ashes Tests.

Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has once again been overlooked.

Foakes has scored 428 runs at 38.90, including one century and three half-centuries, since Brendon McCullum was appointed head coach last year but has lost his place behind the stumps to Jonny Bairstow.

Josh Tongue retains his spot in the bowling ranks alongside Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and spinner Jack Leach.

Tongue was a late addition to England's squad to face Ireland after Robinson (ankle) and Anderson (groin) picked up niggles in the County Championship, and made his international debut in the one-off Test at Lord's.

Due to this summer's congested Test schedule, captain Ben Stokes has previously spoken of his desire to have a stable of 8-10 bowlers at his disposal. However, injuries to a number of big names, including Jofra Archer (elbow), Olly Stone (hamstring), Craig Overton (knee) and Jamie Overton (back) have depleted their resources.

^{Ben Foakes has once again been overlooked [Phil Walter/Getty Images]}

Under-fire opener Zak Crawley is set to continue at the top of the order alongside Ben Duckett.

The 2023 Ashes series will get underway at Edgbaston on June 16, with second Test taking place at Lord's from June 28.

England squad for first two Ashes Tests: Ben Stokes, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood