Ben Stokes-Led England Announce 13-Man Squad For 1st Test vs West Indies, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali Miss Out

Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson will form the pace battery. Moeen Ali misses out and so does Jonny Bairstow.

After a three-month break, due to the unfortunate coronavirus pandemic that brought all sporting events to a halt, cricket is set to resume as England host West Indies at Ageas Bowl, Southampton for the first Test.

The hosts have already announced a 13-man squad for the Test and the side would be led by Ben Stokes in the absence of regular skipper Joe Root. Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow and off-spinner Moeen Ali are set to miss the opening Test.

This is a much-awaited Test as it will be the first time international cricket will resume in the post COVID-19 world.

England will have a good pace battery going into the Test. They have Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson.

JUST IN: England have named a 13-man squad for the first Test against West Indies scheduled to start on 8 July at the Ageas Bowl. pic.twitter.com/gJ58aZbC8c

ICC (@ICC) July 4, 2020

Squad: Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Zak Crawly, Joe Denly, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood