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Bracey Named in 30-Man England ‘behind-closed-doors training group’

17 June 2020

James Bracey has been selected by the England National cricket-selectors to be part of the 30-man ‘behind-closed-doors training group’ who will go into camp at the Ageas Bowl on Tuesday June 23 ahead of the first Test against the West Indies starting on Wednesday July 8.

The group, along with a separate red-ball management team, will live, prepare and train on-site at the Ageas Bowl. On Wednesday July 1, the players will participate in a three-day practice match. After this match, the squad for the first Test will be selected.

Bracey has been training at the Bristol County Ground since the beginning of June alongside Gloucestershire Head Coach Richard Dawson and Head of Medical David Bartlett. James has also been busy practising with the Somerset players who were called up to the 55-man England training group in Taunton alongside former England cricketer Marcus Trescothick.

The 23-year-old Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batsman recently enjoyed an excellent tour Down Under with the England Lions. Having initially caught the eye through an ability to play long innings in red-ball cricket, his developing stroke-play and wicketkeeping served Gloucestershire well last season.

Speaking on Bracey’s call up to the 30-man training group, Gloucestershire Head Coach Richard Dawson said:

“James has worked very hard. He got the opportunity to go away in the winter to India and then Australia. During both trips he trained hard, he learned a lot and most importantly he performed well. Since we have been back, he’s been batting beautifully and working a lot on his keeping.

He’s a genuine top order batsman whereas the others are middle order. They have more time keeping than he does but I think he’s got the extra string to his bow with his batting.

The 30-man squad that are about to go into the bubble is just another challenge for him and he has earned the right to be where he is. It’s a very exciting time for him and for the Club who are behind him all the way.“

Gloucestershire Chief Executive Will Brown added:

 “James is an exceptional cricketer and it is absolutely fantastic news for him, his friends and family and all at Gloucestershire Cricket to see him included in the ‘behind-closed-doors training group’ training group for the West Indies Test Series.

He is an incredibly hard worker and this commitment and dedication has really helped his natural talent to develop further and we wish him every success with the next stages of training and selection.”

30-Man Behind-Closed-Doors Training Group:

Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire),  Dominic Bess (Somerset), James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Joe Denly (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Lewis Gregory (Somerset), Keaton Jennings (Lancashire), Dan Lawrence  (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Jamie Overton (Somerset), Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Amar Virdi (Surrey), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Commenting on the selection of the group, National Selector Ed Smith, said:

“Everyone involved with England is delighted that cricket is returning soon, and that the players are reporting for group training in preparation for the Test series against the West Indies.

“We’d also like to thank all the county coaches who have supported these players over the past few weeks. A squad for the first Test will be announced in due course.”

Gloucestershire Head Coach Richard Dawson has also been called up by England, being named as the spin bowling coach. For more information on Dawson’s call up – Click here

Three-match Test Series:

1st Test: England v West Indies, July 8-12, Ageas Bowl, Southampton

2nd Test: England v West Indies, July 16-20, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

3rd Test: England v West Indies, July 24-28, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

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