England and West Indies will face off in the first Test of their three-match series at Lord's starting on Wednesday, July 10.
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Today's England vs West Indies match preview
England v West Indies, 1st Test
Where: Lord's Cricket Ground, London
When: July 10, 11:00 am local time
The English Test summer of 2024 kicks off with an end — James Anderson's Test career will be over after this, his 188th match in the format. Only Sachin Tendulkar has played more, and only Shane Warne and Muthiah Muralidaran have taken more than his 700 wickets at this level.
Out to spoil Anderon's farewell will be a young West Indies team. Packed with talent in the form of Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Mikyle Louis, Alick Athanaze and more, most of these players remain untested at the highest level. Their last time out in whites saw them shock Australia at the Gabba. Can they pull off another stunning win at Lord's?
ENG vs WI: Who are the key players?
James Anderson
Playing in his final Test match, James Anderson will be the leader of a bowling attack containing two players in Gus Atkinson and Shoaib Bashir, who are each playing their first Test match on English soil. If he can lead the way for England one last time, Anderson could help them to a resounding win.
Also read: The full list: Every Test cricketer James Anderson has ever played against
Kraigg Brathwaite
The experience of West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite is going to be vital from the visitors' point of view as their top five consists of one debutant and three others who have played fewer than five Test matches, apart from him. Brathwaite's gritty, old-school style of Test batting is also likely to come in handy, as West Indies will need to weather several storms with the bat if they are to get anything from this game.
ENG vs WI team news
England
England announced their playing XI for the match two days in advance, confirming debuts for two players; wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and pacer Gus Atkinson. James Anderson will be playing his 188th and final Test match, while Chris Woakes makes his red-ball return after a year. He last played during the home Ashes series in July 2023.
West Indies
West Indies named their starting XI one day before the match, and it was headlined by a debut for opening batter Mikyle Louis, who became the first ever player from the island of St Kitts to represent the West Indies in Test cricket. Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder are the only players in the XI who played the West Indies' last Test in England, in 2020.
ENG vs WI: Toss & Playing XI
England have won the toss and chosen to field first.
England
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson
West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua da Silva (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales
Pitch report and ground conditions
The most prominent and unique feature of Lord's is the slope on which the ground is built. Running across the pitch, it can affect the bounce and sideways movement especially when seam bowlers are operating. Although it is traditionally not a particularly high-scoring venue, the last Test here in 2023 saw Australia score 416 in the first innings, and all four innings end with scores in excess of 250.
West Indies last played on this ground in 2017, when they were bowled out for 123 batting first before England went on to secure a nine-wicket win.
Team form (most recent first)
England: LLLLW
West Indies: WLDLL
Odds and match prediction
According to Stake, England are favourites to win this match.
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