Squad announced for England Men’s first two Test matches versus West Indies

Three Lions name three uncapped players in 14-strong squad for Tests at Lord’s and Trent Bridge

England Men’s selection panel have named a 14-strong squad for the first two Test matches of the three-match Test series against West Indies starting at Lord’s on Wednesday, 10 July 2024.

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 Vitality 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 76.93. 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.  

Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes returns to the Test squad for the first time since July 2023, when he was awarded the Player of the Series during the Ashes series against Australia. 

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