Dan Lawrence has a prime opportunity to earn a place in England’s team for the First Test against West Indies in Antigua having been selected ahead of Ollie Pope in a 12-man team for their only warm-up match.
England face a Cricket West Indies President’s XI at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua from Tuesday in a four-day match that is not first-class. As a result, they have been able to pick 12 players.
Batting No4, Lawrence, at Pope’s expense, is the most eye-catching selection.
The uncapped opener Alex Lees partners Zak Crawley at the top of the order, with Joe Root moving to No3. Lawrence slots in ahead of the experienced pair Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, with Ben Foakes returning to keep wicket at No7.
England have named five bowlers: Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson and Craig Overton to bowl seam, as well as Jack Leach. It seems probable that the attack for the First Test will be the same as that which lined up for the Ashes opener at the Gabba in December: Woakes, Robinson, Wood, Leach, Stokes.
That leaves Pope and the uncapped trio of Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson and Matt Fisher on the sidelines. All were available for selection.
Given the match is not first-class, it is possible that these players could be involved later, subject to the fitness and workloads of the selected 12.
Pope looks set to be left out of the side after a disappointing Ashes. He played three Tests with a top score of 35, and struggled technically.
Lawrence played seven Tests in 2021 with mixed success, scoring three fifties and four ducks, but sat on the sidelines throughout the Ashes. He has lined up at No3, No5, No6 and No7, but No4 will be a new position. It may not be unhelpful that his unusual off-spin is considered serviceable.
England left eight players out after the Ashes, including legendary bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, experienced batters Rory Burns and Dawid Malan, and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
The CWI President’s XI will be captained by Shane Dowrich, the wicketkeeper-batter who scored a century against England in the series opener in Barbados three years ago. It also includes Raymon Reifer and Jeremy Solozano, who have played Test cricket.
The three-match series starts next Tuesday in Antigua, before moving to Barbados and Grenada.
