After a period of almost four-months, cricket is finally set to resume after the COVID-19 pandemic hiatus. Host England will take on West Indies for a three-match Test series starting July 8.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have named a potent 13-man squad which will take on the Caribbean’s next week at Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Moreover, nine more players in their squad as reserves for the first ‘raise the bat’ Test match.
In the absence of Joe Root, who is set to miss out on the Test match expecting the birth of his child, Ben Stokes was appointed as the captain of the England side. Stokes will be the 81st England player to be the captain of England in Tests.
England will resume their summer of cricket in the presence of veteran seaming pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The pace attack is further bolstered by the presence of Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes.
Other prominent names include Jos Buttler, who will keep wickets and Joe Denly. Youngsters Dom Bess, Zak Crawley, Dom Sibley and Ollie Pope have also been provided with an opportunity in the lineup.
Here’s England Men’s Test Squad:
Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Meanwhile, regulars of Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach have been included in the Test reserves along with Craig Overton.
Test Reserves:
James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Olly Stone (Warwickshire).
Here’s the schedule of ‘raise the bat’ Test Series:
- 1st Test: July 8-12, Ageas Bowl, Southampton
- 2nd Test: July 16-20, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- 3rd Test: July 24-28, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
