England have announced a bold squad for the first two Tests of their upcoming series against the West Indies.
England's three-match Test series against the West Indies starts on July 10 at Lord's. The ECB announced the squad for the first two of those Tests on Sunday (June 30)
James Anderson, who announced his decision earlier in the summer to retire from international cricket following the first Test, has only been named for the Lord's Test.
In a surprising move, neither Jonny Bairstow nor Ben Foakes have been included in the squad. Surrey wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who's been among the runs in the County Championship, has been picked as the first choice wicketkeeper. Smith has scored 507 runs at an average of 50.70 for Surrey in the County Championship so far this summer, including an 86 in the last round against Worcestershire.The 23-year-old has previously starred for the England Lions and England U19s as well as being part of both of Surrey's most recent Championship winning campaigns.
Nottinghamshire fast-bowler Dillon Pennington is the other player to have received his maiden Test call-up.The right-armer is currently joint-second in the Division One County Championship wicket-taker standings with 29 wickets from seven matches at an average of 23.03.
Another fast-bowler making a comeback to the squad is Matthew Potts, who last played a Test match at the beginning of the 2023 summer against Ireland. He played five Test matches across the 2022 summer, taking 20 wickets at an average of 28, including 4-13 on debut against New Zealand.
The squad also has the uncapped Gus Atkinson, who spent the winter travelling around India on the Test series but was never handed a debut. Chris Woakes has alsomade a comeback following taking a break from the game at the beginning of the summer.
England have also included allrounder Dan Lawrence in the squad fresh off scoring 175 for Surrey in the last round of the County Championship. During that innings, Lawrence whacked 38 off one over from Shoaib Bashir (also included in the squad), which was at the time the joint-record for the most runs conceded off a first-class over.
Jack Leach has not been included in the squad, with Bashir the only specialist spinner in the group. Leach underwent knee surgery earlier this year after picking up an injury during the Test series in India.
England's first Test match against the West Indies will begin on Wednesday, July 10, with the second Test set for Trent Bridge on July 18.
England squad for first two Tests against West Indies
Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson (first Test only), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes
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