Warwickshire's Chris Woakes will return to the Test fold for the first time since his incredible Ashes series last year.
The all-rounder, who missed the first two Tests, took 19 wickets and was subsequently awarded the Player of the Series after a titanic tussle that saw England come back from 2-0 down.
Woakes, now 35, sits on 48 Tests and could be in line to reach the half-century milestone at Trent Bridge or at his home ground Edgbaston.
The right-armer continues his Test preparations as a member of the Bears squad travelling to Somerset in the Vitality County Championship. In total, The Wizard has 149 Test wickets to his name plus 1,754 runs.
Ben Stokes’ side will travel to Birmingham for the third and final Test, starting on Friday 26 July. Tickets for the first two days are sold out, while a small number have been released for Day Three which are available now.
Hospitality and Premium Tickets are still available for all days.
England Men’s Test Squad
Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire) (First Test only)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Lawrence (Surrey)
Dillon Pennington (Nottinghamshire)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Matthew Potts (Durham)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Two players have been selected for the first time at this level – Nottinghamshire seamer Dillon Pennington and Surrey batter Jamie Smith, who will also be available to keep wicket. Both have been standout performers in the County Championship Division One this season. Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson is the only other uncapped player. He was part of the squad for the Test tour of India earlier this year.
Pennington, 25, who joined Nottinghamshire this year from Worcestershire, has been showing his promise with the ball, taking 29 Championship wickets at an average of 23.03 in the top-flight.
The attacking right-hand batter Smith, who has been in spectacular form this campaign, helping Surrey consolidate their top spot in Division One, has scored 507 runs at an average of 50.70. He is set to be rewarded with his Test debut next week at Lord’s and add to his England ODI credentials when he debuted last summer against Ireland.
Commenting on the selected squad, ECB Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, said: “The first Test of the summer is always a special moment, but it will be extra poignant with it being Jimmy’s (Anderson) last Test before he retires. He has given everything to the sport since his Test debut in 2003. We all would like to wish him well as he walks out at Lord’s for the last time for England.”
“We are looking forward to getting the season underway against a strong West Indies side in what will be an excellent Test series.”
Test Series Versus West Indies
1st Test: England v West Indies, 10-14 July 2024, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London*
2nd Test: England v West Indies, 18-22 July 2024, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test: England v West Indies, 26-30 July 2024, Edgbaston, Birmingham
Additional tickets released for Day Three of West Indies Test
A small number of tickets have been released for Day Three of our Men’s Test against West Indies this summer (26-30 Juy).
The first two days are sold out, while over 11, 000 tickets have gone for Day Four. Remaining tickets are expected to go quickly.
Hospitality and Premium Tickets are still available for all days.
