‌Smith, Pennington earn maiden call-up as England announce squad for West Indies series

The Test series will be a part of the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle with both teams eyeing for a top two spot. England, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, have made notable amendments to their squad. Incumbents Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes have been left out with Smith likely to keep the wickets behind the stumps. 

The Three Lions have also made possible changes in their bowling unit with Stuart Broad already retired and Anderson to follow suit in the Lord's Test. Pennington earned a call-up and will be competing for a spot with Gus Atkinson, who travelled to India without getting an opportunity. Matt Potts and Chris Woakes are the other seam bowling options in the squad along with the skipper himself in the absence of Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson. 

Shaoib Bashir is their spin bowling option and Dan Lawrence has retained his spot after impressive performance in the ensuing County Championship.

The English summer will commence in Lords before the attention switches to Nottingham and Birmingham for the final couple of Test against West Indies. 

England squad for West Indies: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson (first Test only), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matt Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes.