Mark Wood returns to England squad for second Test vs West Indies as James Anderson retires
Published - 13 Jul 2024, 03:29 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:15 AM
![Mark Wood](https://static.cricketaddictor.com/images/2024/MarkWoodTest.webp?q=80)
England, on Saturday (July 13) added fast-bowler Mark Wood to their squad for the forthcoming second Test against West Indies.
The first Test of the three-match series ended on Friday (July 12) with England registering an innings victory. At least one change to the squad was very much on the cards as the first Test was James Anderson's farewell game. The legendary pacer brought down curtains on his illustrious career after the conclusion of the series-opener.
With Anderson no more a part of the team, England have recalled Mark Wood to the Test side. The right-arm pacer was last seen in action in the T20 World Cup where England bowed out at the semifinal stage. The 34-year-old played 5 games in the tournament and went wicketless in four of them while picking 3 wickets against Oman. Mark Wood's last Test appearance came in India in March.
England take lead in three-match series:
Meanwhile, England inflicted an innings defeat on West Indies in the first Test at Lord's to take the lead in the three-match series. The hosts wrapped up the game in just over two days as they thrashed the visitors by an innings and 114 runs.
Asked to bat first, West Indies were bowled out for just 121 runs with none of their batter reaching the 30-run mark. Debutant Gus Atkinson starred with the ball, taking 7 wickets for 45 runs. In reply, England finished their first innings with 371 runs to take a big lead of 250 runs.
The lead was enough for the home side to win the game without batting again. In the second innings, West Indies' batters disappointed again as the team was bowled out for just 136 runs. Atkinson was the pick of the bowlers once again, taking 5 wickets while James Anderson claimed 3.
With Wood back in the Test squad, he is likely to replace Anderson in the playing eleven. The other seam-bowling options in the squad are uncapped Dillon Pennington and Matthew Potts.
England squad for second Test:
Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood