England’s Squad for West Indies: Jonny Bairstow Out, Jamie Smith In
England men’s managing director, Rob Key, has announced the squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against West Indies, starting on July 10. The squad includes young wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith, who will be making his maiden Test appearance.
Key Changes in the Squad
Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes have been left out of the squad. Bairstow has been struggling with his form recently, while Foakes, despite being an excellent keeper, was excluded for strategic reasons. Key explained that the team needs a player who can up the ante when required, and they believe Smith can bring both defensive and aggressive batting to the table.
Jamie Smith’s Inclusion
Jamie Smith, who recently scored a hundred for Surrey against Essex in the County Championships, has been included in the squad. Key mentioned that the management has been watching Smith for quite some time and believes he has the potential to excel in both defensive and aggressive batting.
James Anderson’s Final Game
The first Test will also be significant as it marks the final game of James Anderson’s illustrious international career.
England’s Squad
Player |
---|
Ben Stokes (c) |
James Anderson |
Gus Atkinson |
Shoaib Bashir |
Harry Brook |
Zak Crawley |
Ben Duckett |
Dan Lawrence |
Dillon Pennington |
Ollie Pope |
Matthew Potts |
Joe Root |
Jamie Smith |
Chris Woakes |