England have named their XI for the first Test against the West Indies, with Surrey duo Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson to debut in James Anderson’s final game.
It’s a changing of the guard for England, as they wave goodbye to their leading all-time wicket-taker in Anderson, whilst welcoming a new era as they begin their preparations for the Ashes in 18 months time.
The selection of Smith as wicketkeeper was expected after the 23-year-old was named in the squad last week in place of Jonny Bairstow and Smith’s Surrey teammate Ben Foakes.
Smith has been on England’s radar for some time, with managing director Rob Key describing the right-hander as a “rare talent” to the press last week.
His selection appears to be the end of the road in Test cricket for both Bairstow and Foakes, both of whom were part of England’s squad in India earlier this year.
Atkinson debuts after being an unused squad member during the India series. Following the final match in Dharamsala, head coach Brendon McCullum all but promised Atkinson game time this summer, stating: “He’s got something that we need to take a good look at.”
Elsewhere, 20-year-old Shoaib Bashir will make his first appearance in a home Test, with the offspinner preferred over his county teammate Jack Leach.
“This doesn’t mean Jack Leach’s time is done with us,” Key said last week. “If ever there’s a time when we need a second spinner, I’d imagine that would be Leach.
“Sometimes you’re selecting people for what they’re going to be…it’s the same with Shoaib Bashir: you’re picking someone because you just see that potential.”
In a quirk of selection, both Bashir and Smith are second choice at their respective counties behind the people they have beaten to international selection. Bashir spent time out on loan at Worcestershire this season with Somerset opting for Leach when he was fit, whilst Foakes keeps wicket for Surrey ahead of Smith.
Harry Brook returns to the XI after missing the Test series in India due to a family bereavement, whilst Chris Woakes plays his first Test since last summer’s Ashes series against Australia, where he won the Compton-Miller medal for player of the series.
