England announce XI for first West Indies Test
England names two debutants in the playing XI against West Indies
England have confirmed their playing XI for the first Test against West Indies at Lord's, starting 10 July, Wednesday.
Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith will appear in their first Test for England while James Anderson is set to play his last. Spinner Shoaib Bashir will play his first Test match in England having debuted in India earlier this year.
Chris Woakes is also set to return to the XI for the first time since last summer's Ashes series against Australia.
One man playing his 188th Test 🐐
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 8, 2024
Two men playing their first 👀
Our Test XI to take on the West Indies is here 👇
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open for the side with Ollie Pope completing the top order. Joe Root, Harry Brook and skipper Ben Stokes will take command of the middle order. Jamie, on debut, is set to take up wicket-keeping responsibilities with Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes absent from the squad.
Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson.