New Delhi: Fast bowler Mark Wood has returned to England’s Test side and will replace the retired legend James Anderson in the playing XI for the second Test against West Indies, as announced by England Cricket. The match is scheduled at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham and will start on July 18, Thursday. Wood in place of Anderson is the only change that England would enter the ground with, keeping their other pace power waiting.
Wood wasn’t available for the Lord’s Test, having just returned to the nation after the completion of England’s campaign at the T20 World Cup 2024. England’s managing director had stated that it becomes difficult for the players to shift focus from one format to another if not given some time off. He was added to the squad after West Indies’ innings-and-114-run drubbing at the hands of the Three Lions in the first Test at the Lord’s.
We’ve made one change from Lord’s 👇
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 16, 2024
He is set to slot back into the playing XI, having played three of England’s five Tests in India earlier this year. Meanwhile, this will be the first time that England will play a home Test without the service of either Anderson or Stuart Broad in their eleven since 2012. Anderson has assumed the new role of England’s bowling coach, which he immediately began after hanging his boots.
Wait continues for Matthew Potts, Dillon Pennington
England’s pace attack for the West Indies series also sees Matthew Potts and Dillon Pennington who will now have to wait a bit more for their opportunities after Wood’s inclusion. Potts was impressive in 2022 and 2023, taking 23 wickets in his first six Tests, and hasn’t featured for England since the Ireland Test that was held at the Lord’s in June last year. Meanwhile, Pennington still awaits his Test debut.
Wood will be helped by another seamer, Gus Atkinson, who delivered match-winning spells in the Lord’s Test and shone with match figures of 12 for 106, the fourth-best by a debutant in Test history. Shoaib Bashir, the offspinner in the squad, did not bowl in the Lord’s Test which was his first home appearance for his nation but has retained his spot for Nottingham.
England’s playing XI for 2nd Test vs West Indies:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir.
Mark Wood was added to England’s squad for the second Test against West Indies after James Anderson’s retirement and he now replaces the legendary in the playing XI for the game at the Trent Bridge. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
