Three Lions England have announced their playing XI for the first Test match against the West Indies scheduled to play at Lord’s. This is going to be James Anderson’s final Test match.
While on one hand, the team will bid farewell to their favorite fast bowler James Anderson, on the other hand, the team is also going to award fresh England caps to debutants Surrey duo, pacer Gus Atkinson and batter Jamie Smith. They will become England’s 714th and 715th Test cricketers, respectively.
Also, Chris Woakes, who is making a comeback after a long break, last played games in the 2023 Ashes. He has now been called back into the England whites, as the team looks lethal with three seamers now.
Apart from pacers, England have also picked young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who is the second youngest overseas bowler to pick up a Test five-wicket haul in India. He is also set to bring spin against Kraigg Brathwaite’s West Indies.
England playing XI vs West Indies
Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson.