Chris Woakes has been named in a 15-strong squad for the LV= Insurance Test match against Ireland at Lord’s starting on Thursday 1 June 2023.
The all-rounder returns to the Test squad for the first time since March 2022, and if selected, this will be his first Test appearance on home soil since August 2020.
The 34-year-old spent most of 2022 on the sidelines through injury, but has returned to Warwickshire action seamlessly this year, taking 10 wickets at 19.90 a piece.
Looking to earn a spot in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Woakes will be hoping to impress at a ground where he’s showcased his all-round talent.
In the summer of 2018, Woakes became just the tenth player to appear on both the batting and bowling honours boards when his hit a maiden Test century (137*) against India.
With the ball, the right-armer has taken 27 Test wickets – his highest at any Test ground – with an average of just 11.33. In five Tests, Woakes has 10 wickets in a match once and five wickets in an innings three times, with his best figures – 6/17 – coming against Ireland in 2019.
Elsewhere, Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batter Jonathan Bairstow is now fully fit, following his broken left leg and dislocated ankle, and is back with England for the first time since last August.
After taking a break from the tour of New Zealand, Durham fast bowler Mark Wood is back in the squad.
Surrey batter Ollie Pope has been officially confirmed as England’s vice-captain with immediate effect.
Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the rest of the summer after recent scans revealed he has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow. He will now spend time with the England and Sussex medical teams, who will work on his injury management.
Commenting on the selected squad, ECB Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, said: “We are looking forward to the summer ahead and getting into the swing of things, starting with a good test against Ireland.
“It was a seriously tough decision to leave Ben Foakes out of the squad. He has been excellent for England in the last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about.
“It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer. He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously. We wish him the best of luck with his recovery. I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.
“I would like to wish the players every success, especially those returning after some time away.”
England Men’s Test Squad
Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Matthew Potts (Durham)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)
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