England have included the uncapped duo of Mark Stoneman and Mark Crane in the 13-man squad for the first of the three-match Test series against West Indies, scheduled to be played at Edgbaston on Thursday (August 10). The series-opener will be the first day-night Test to be staged in England.
Stoneman has replaced struggling opener Keaton Jennings in the squad while Crane has been picked up as a second spin option with Liam Dawson also being dropped from the squad.
Stoneman looks set to make his debut at Edgbaston. The Surrey batsman got the opportunity after Jennings’ constant struggle against South Africa. The left-handed batsman, who had scored a century on his Test debut in India, managed to score only 127 runs in eight innings including two ducks. Stoneman has been in fine form in the first-class season so far, scoring 1033 runs at an average of 57.38 with three centuries and England would hope he performs in the same manner as they look to end their opening woes before the all-important Ashes.
Crane, on the other hand, has played two Twenty20 Internationals and made his debut against South Africa in the three-match series in June. In the first-class games of this ongoing season, he has picked up 16 wickets at an average of 40.31.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Chris Woakes, who has been on the sidelines since the Champions Trophy opener in June, has also returned to the side. Woakes has replaced fast-bowler Steven Finn after his all-round show for Warwickshire on his comeback to the County Championship last week. He took five wickets in the match against Middlesex in addition to scoring a half-century to help his struggling team to its first championship victory of the season.
“The selectors would like to offer their congratulations to Mark Stoneman and Mason Crane who thoroughly deserve their opportunity in the squad,” James Whitaker, the National Selector, said.
“Keaton Jennings will return to Durham and will look to recapture the form that earned him selection in the first place. I am sure he will find his confidence and look to score runs in the remaining matches of this season.
“Chris Woakes has proved his fitness and returns to the squad having missed most of the summer through injury. He was impressive in his return game at Lord’s this week and if selected in the final line-up, he will be relishing the prospect of playing on his home ground,” he added.
England Squad for the First Test:
Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Woakes, Mark Stoneman, Mason Crane.