ENG vs WI Match Preview- 1st Test, West Indies Tour Of England 2024

England and West Indies play a three-match Test series starting with the first Test at Lord's on July 10. The Test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25.

ENG vs WI Date and Venue

The ENG vs WI first Test will be played at Lord's from July 10-14. The match starts at 3.30 pm IST.

ENG vs WI Match Preview- 1st Test, West Indies Tour Of England 2024

England

The ECB has already announced their playing XI for the first Test. Led by Ben Stokes, they have added two debutants to their side. Gus Atkinson, the pacer will make his Test debut, and also will the keeper-batter Jamie Smith.

A few senior players have been axed from the squad namely, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Hartley, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Ben Foakes, and Mark Wood all of whom played in the series against India.

England Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson

West Indies

The Windies will be led by Kraigg Brathwaite. West Indies too have a fairly new-look side with a few senior players in the side. Kemar Roach is ruled out of the Test series with a knee injury. Pacer Jeremiah Louis has been named as his replacement.

Jason Holder and Jayden Seales too have made a return to the side. Cricket West Indies has also roped in uncapped opening batter Mikyle Louis in the 15-player squad. Alzarri and Sharmar Joseph are both picked in the playing XI for the first Test giving a lot of teeth to the visitors' pace attack.

West Indies Playing XI

Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Zachary McCaskie, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Kevin Sinclair, Alzarri Joseph, Jason Holder, Shamar Joseph

Also Read: After Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes uses 'text message tactic' on James Anderson to cancel retirement after initially forcing him into it

ENG vs WI Key Battles

Joe Root vs Shamar Joseph

Root, England's best Test batter will face Shamar Joseph who is the best pacer in the West Indies side right now. This is Shamar's first Test against England and he would love to pick up the big fish.

Ben Stokes vs Jason Holder

Two senior all-rounders will have a defining role in the match. Both the players are equally adept with the bat and ball and would like to make an impact.

James Anderson vs Kraigg Brathwaite

Anderson will bowl against the Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and the face is likely to set the tone for the match. This is Anderson's farewell Test match.

WI vs Key Players

England: For England, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes are key with the bat, and James Anderson, Chris Woakes and Shoaib Bashir are key with the ball.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite holds the key with the bat for the visitors with Alick Athanaze. With the ball, the two Josephs hold the key.

ENG vs WI Weather and Pitch Report

Clear weather is predicted on day 1 and day 5 of the Test match. The rest of the three days have inclement weather predictions with rain and thunderstorms on the cards. This is the summer season in England at the moment.

Conclusion

The Lord's Test kicks off a three-Test match series between the two teams. England is placed last on the WTC points table while West Indies is placed sixth.

Also Read: West Indies playing XI for first Test against England at Lord's announced