Srinagar, July 4: The International cricket is set to return after Coronavirus forced break with hosts England taking on West Indies in the Test match on Wednesday, July 8 at Ageas Bowl, Southampton. It will be first of the three match Test series.
While everyone is set to go back on the field in England side, it’s two top stars Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali have to wait a bit longer to see themselves in Whites again for England.
In the squad announced on Saturday by England Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali have missed to make the cut. They have also not been included in the reservers players too. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood have been named and will be eyeing the third spot beside James Anderson and Chris Broad.
Chris Woakes is likely to play as an all-rounder after Sam Curran who felt unwell in the intra-squad match due to diarrhea.
The First Test of the series will be played at Ageas Bowl, Southampton starting on Wednesday 8 July 2020. Nine players will remain at the Ageas Bowl as Test reserves.
Ben Stokes is set to become England’s 81st Test captain after Joe Root who has returned to Sheffield to be at the birth of his second child, left the secure bubble in Southampton earlier this week.
He will self-isolate for seven days before joining up with the squad ahead of the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford starting on 16 July.
England squad
Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Reserves:
James Bracey, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone