Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith called up as England announces playing XI for the first Test against West Indies

Jamie Smith will make his Test debut as the wicketkeeper, stepping in for Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes. Pacer Gus Atkinson will also debut and will join the seasoned James Anderson, who will be playing his final match at Lord’s.

Somerset off-spinner Shoaib Bashir is set to play his first Test match on home soil, following his debut in India earlier this year.

The match will also mark the return of Chris Woakes, who took a break from cricket after his stellar performance in the Ashes last summer and dealing with the passing of his father.

The English summer of cricket will start at Lord’s before moving on to Nottingham and Birmingham for the remaining two Tests against the West Indies.

England’s playing XI for the first Test vs West Indies: Zak Crawley,  Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root,  Harry Brook,  Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir,  James Anderson