Luke Wright will get the chance to open the batting for England in one-day cricket, national selector Geoff Miller has announced.
All-rounder to get his chance as Ambrose takes over behind the stumps
Luke Wright will get the chance to open for England in one-day cricket, national selector Geoff Miller has announced.
The Sussex all-rounder will be Alastair Cook's new partner at the top of the order for the upcoming one-day series against New Zealand.
Phil Mustard had been in the role during the winter but was left out of the 14-man squad for the one-off Twenty20 International and the five ODI's.
It means Wright will move up to open, a role he has done with spectacular success in limited overs cricket at domestic level.
Opportunity
"Luke will be opening for us because every time he's been given the opportunity and had to step up to the plate in a big match he's done well," confirmed Miller.
"We're aware we need to take advantage of the fielding restrictions and we believe Luke is the exciting type of cricketer to do well in that position.
"Whether he is playing for Sussex or England, he seems to like the big occasion and there are big possibilities for him if he continues developing."
Wright's promotion comes after the selectors decided to do away with the pinch-hitting Mustard in favour of Tim Ambrose.
The Warwickshire gloveman has been given the chance to establish himself as England's first-choice 'keeper in both forms of the game having already made a promising start to his Test career.
Goal
"My goal at the start of the summer was to play in both formats so this is a good opportunity to establish myself," admitted Ambrose.
"I've been playing for the last three or four seasons in the middle order and have been trying to learn how to play that style of the game.
"I enjoy batting in that area of the innings. I think it's the toughest role to play in one-day cricket and it's a great challenge, but if it comes off towards the end of the innings whether you're setting or chasing it's a great feeling.
"I've worked very hard on that for the last few years and I got to the point last season where I really felt it was coming on well in that aspect."
