Alastair Cook will lead England on their seven-match one-day international tour of Sri Lanka.

Cook’s position as ODI, and therefore World Cup, captain has been the subject of much conjecture over the past two months — with critics citing his mediocre strike-rate at the top of the order as a significant concern.

But England’s selectors have kept faith, naming him yesterday in a 16-man squad for the tour of Sri Lanka in November and December — meaning Cook can begin planning in earnest his team’s World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand early next year.

Cook is joined in the squad by recalled pair James Taylor, who gets his chance in place of Gary Ballance, and Ravi Bopara.

The latter was a surprise omission from England’s squad for their most recent series, a 3-1 home defeat against India under Cook.

National selector James Whitaker said: “Congratulations to James Taylor, who has been rewarded for his outstanding form for Nottinghamshire this season and fully deserves another opportunity in the international arena.

“While Gary Ballance will be disappointed to miss out on this tour, he knows he remains a very important part of our plans.”

England have included spinners Stephen Parry and Adil Rashid in a 19-man performance programme squad, which will be under the guidance of former national coach Andy Flower, and that pair are set to travel initially with the senior party to Sri Lanka.

Whitaker added: “As we have seen in the last year, it is vital that we have players ready to perform on the international stage when they are given the opportunity, and the EPP plays an important role in identifying and working with those players we believe have the potential to thrive in international cricket.

“With the ICC Cricket World Cup less than five months away we are very aware that our one-day cricket needs to develop quickly if we are to arrive at the competition ready to compete with the very best sides in the world.”