3 uncapped players in England squad for West Indies Tests, Ben Foakes, Jonny Bairstow dropped

England, on Sunday (June 30), announced their 14-member squad for the first two Tests of the forthcoming three-match series against West Indies.

Veteran pacer James Anderson has been named in the squad only for the first Test. He has already announced his retirement from Tests and will bring down the curtains on his illustrious Test career after the series opener.

Earlier this year, Anderson became the first fast bowler and only the third bowler ever to reach the 700-wicket mark in Tests after the legendary Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. He achieved the incredible feat during the Dharamsala Test against India in March. Anderson will bow out of the game as the most decorated fast bowler of all time.

Anderson has been plying his trade in international cricket for well over two decades. He made his debut for England in 2002 in ODIs before making his Test debut in 2003. He has played a record 187 Tests for England and only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar (200) has played more Tests than him.

"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," said ECB managing director for England men's cricket Rob Key. "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," he added.

England squad for West Indies Tests:

England have given maiden calls to uncapped Nottinghamshire seamer Dillon Pennington and Surrey batsman Jamie Smith for the first two Tests against the West Indies. Gus Atkinson is another uncapped player in the squad but he was a part of the England Test squad for the India tour earlier this year.

With neither Ben Foakes nor Jonny Bairstow named in the squad, Smith is looking set to don the wicketkeeping gloves for the Ben St0kes-led side. Smith has been in fine form in the domestic circuit this season and has scored an impressive 507 runs at an average of more than 75. 

On the other hand, Pennington has impressed with the ball. The 25-year-old has hit the ground running for Nottinghamshire after joining them from Worcestershire this year and has picked up 29 wickets so far. Meanwhile, the first Test between England and West Indies will begin on July 10 at Lord's while the second game will be played at Trent Bridge from July 18. The third and final game will be played at Edgbaston from July 26.

England squad:

Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson (First Test only), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes

England vs West Indies 2024, Test series schedule:

• 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