Selector James Whitaker makes it clear: Alastair Cook at the helm for England

Alastair Cook will not have to keep looking over his back to see if anyone is coming for his job after National selector James Whitaker makes it clear that he is England's captain for the upcoming WorShow more

England picked Alastair Cook as captain for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after finalising their provisional 30-man squad on Saturday.

National selector James Whitaker made it clear before England embarked on their current one-day international tour of Sri Lanka that Cook would be in charge for the World Cup, despite questions about his leadership and form with the bat.

There was no change to that policy as the opener was joined in the squad by all those chosen for the Sri Lanka trip, plus front-line pace bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson, currently recovering from their knee injuries in South Africa.

Jonathan Trott is the one notable omission from the group named for the tournament, which begins in February.

Trott had to leave last winter’s Ashes campaign in Australia with a stress-related illness, but the batsman gradually returned to form for Warwickshire during the English domestic campaign.

Among others who have been included in the World Cup reckoning are a sextet from Yorkshire – Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow, Tim Bresnan, Jack Brooks, Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid – who are joining county colleague Joe Root, who is already in Sri Lanka.

Surrey batsman Jason Roy, who made his international debut in a Twenty20 against India at Edgbaston in September, is also in the 30.

England will pare the squad to 16 for the tri-series in Australia, to be held before Christmas. Of that group, 15 are expected to form their final World Cup squad.

England trail Sri Lanka 2-1 in the current seven-match ODI series.

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