New Delhi: Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith will make their England Test debuts as the hosts announced their playing XI for the first Test against West Indies scheduled at the Lord’s, which starts on Wednesday. The match is in the limelight as it will be the international swansong for James Anderson, as the legendary pacer hangs his boots on his remarkable career.
Atkinson has been part of England in white-ball cricket while the 23-year-old Smith has played in two games in the 50-over format. He was picked in the team ahead of the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes, who struggled during the series loss to India away from home earlier this year. Harry Brook, who missed the India Tests due to personal reasons, has returned to the side.
Spin prodigy Shoaib Bashir, who performed well during the tour of India, will play his first international game on English soil. Meanwhile, Chris Woakes, who was one of England’s heroes during the Ashes last year, returns to the team for the first time since the series against the Aussies. The pack of pace will be spearheaded by Anderson who will bow out of international cricket after the conclusion of the first Test.
One man playing his 188th Test 🐐
Two men playing their first 👀
Our Test XI to take on the West Indies is here 👇
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 8, 2024
England’s playing XI for 1st Test vs West Indies:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson.
Anderson on his final Test
Anderson will be claiming all the spotlight during the game and has said that he will aim to bowl well and possibly sign off with a victory. “I feel pretty normal going into this last couple of days of training. Try not to think too much about the game itself. The big thing for me this week is to play well, bowl well, and get a win. That’s what I am trying to focus on really,” he said.
“I am sure the emotions during the week will change. So that’s what I am trying to focus on to stop myself from crying,” added Anderson who is all set to play his 188th Test.
England host West Indies for a three-match Test series as a part of the World Test Championship cycle 2023-25 that starts at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Wednesday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
