In the latest development, England on Wednesday has announced their team for the first Test of the three-match series against Windies, which is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston in Birmingham on August 17 (Thursday).
The Three Lions led by Joe-Root has left out an unimpressive left-handed batsman Keaton Jennings, who had struggled with his footwork against the South African bowlers, in the recently concluded four-match Investec series in his backyard, as he scored just 127 runs at the meek average of over 15.
Interestingly, the Surrey-based cricketer and left-handed batsman Mark Stoneman was picked as his replacement, who is further bound to make his debut on the international circuit after playing 146 first-class matches in England’s domestic circuit.
Pertinently, we would witness only change for the 1st Test in the England’s line-up which captain Root picked for the fourth Test, as the hosts won the final Test convincingly by 177 runs in Manchester which included a five-wicket haul from Moeen Ali.
Moreover, the 30-year-old Newcastle-born Stoneman will be the 12th partner in Tests after Andrew Strauss retirement for experienced campaigner Alastair Cook, who is the highest run-scorer in the longer version for England since former skipper Andrew Strauss quit international cricket in 2012.
However, it will be first-ever pink-ball Test for England at home to taste the Duke ball which is expected to do a bit in the night, as batters are expected to be more watchful owing to the tricky conditions in England.
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The 28-year-fast bowler Birmingham-born Chris Woakes missed out to break into the Playing XI, as he had already played 17 Tests for England in which he has claimed 48 wickets at the average of 29.33.
Earlier, in the 13-member squad, England picked the 20-year-old Sussex-born leg-spinner Mason Crane in the side. Interestingly, Crane had made his international debut against South Africa in June this year, as he featured in two Twenty20 International matches where he conceded 62 runs in his eight overs – to bag a solitary wicket.
England would be wary of the fact that the top-order has struggled against the quality bowling line-up of the Proteas, except Cook, who was among the runs. On the other side, Root is confident of coming good and hinging on new fast bowling prospect Toby Roland-Jones, who had played a significant role for England against South Africa.
The off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali played a quintessential role both with the ball and bat – to sweep the Man of the Series award in the recently concluded Investec series, as he bagged 25 scalps. Coming to the conclusion, while coming to the British Isles, Windies side has often struggled where they lost 14 out of 17 Tests, as the newly appointed skipper Root would be aiming to continue another series win at home after confirming the Playing XI for the inaugural day and night Test this week.
Here’s England’s Playing XI for the first Test against Windies:
Joe Root (Skipper), Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, Tom Westley, Dawid Malan, Jonathan Bairstow (Wk), Ben Stokes (All-rounder), Moeen Ali (All-rounder, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Toby Roland-Jones.