England include Mark Stoneman and Mason Crane for first Test with West Indies
Friday 11 August 2017 06:16, UK
Surrey batsman Mark Stoneman and Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane are the new faces in England's squad for the first Test against the West Indies.
Stoneman replaces Durham opener Keaton Jennings in the 13-man party, while youngster Crane offers captain Joe Root a second spin option and there is also a return for Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes.
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The inclusion of Stoneman comes in the middle of another prolific season of run-scoring, the former Durham man having scored more than 1,000 first-class runs at an average just shy of 60.
Stoneman looks certain to take the place of Jennings in the day-night match at Edgbaston, which starts on August 17, after he struggled for runs in the 3-1 Test series win over South Africa - the left-hander scored only 127 runs in his eight innings.
"It hasn't quite sunk in yet, it's amazing," Stoneman told Surrey's official website. "It's been a long road, a few ups and downs, but to get that call was quite the release of emotion and something I am very proud of.
"I've had a couple of phone calls before, when I missed out on selection, just to keep me informed of whereabouts I was, so I wondered if it was good or bad!
"I've had 10 years as a professional so I'd hope I have worked things out by now. The experiences I have had now, against the top bowlers in Division One and overseas bowlers will stand me in good stead."
Crane has performed well for his county in four-day and limited overs cricket, continuing the impression he made while playing in the Twenty20 series against the Proteas earlier this summer. His inclusion means no place for county team-mate Liam Dawson.
"It's great to be included in this series and hopefully there's more to come after this," Crane told Sky Sports. "I'm feeling like the ball is coming out nicely, and hopefully if I'm picked I can do a good job."
Woakes returns from a side strain he suffered in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy, having come back into the Warwickshire side last weekend against Middlesex - he took five wickets in the game and also scored a half-century.
Recent call-ups Tom Westley, Dawid Malan and Toby Roland-Jones all retain their place, with Steven Finn and Liam Dawson left out after being included in the squad for the final Test at Old Trafford.
National selector James Whitaker said: "After an excellent series victory over South Africa, our first against them on home soil since 1998, we now look forward to building on our success against the West Indies.
"Selectors would like to offer their congratulations to Mark Stoneman and Mason Crane who thoroughly deserve their opportunity in the squad.
"Keaton Jennings will return to Durham and will look to recapture the form that earned him selection in the first place. I am sure he will find his confidence and look to score runs in the remaining matches of this season.
"Chris Woakes has proved his fitness and returns to the squad having missed most of the summer through injury. He was impressive in his return game at Lord's this week and if selected in the final line-up, he will be relishing the prospect of playing on his home ground.
"On behalf of the selectors, I would like to wish Joe Root, Trevor Bayliss and all the squad the very best for what will be an exciting series against West Indies."
Squad: Joe Root (Yorkshire, capt); Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire, wkt), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Toby Roland-Jones (Middlesex), Ben Stokes (Durham), Mark Stoneman (Surrey), Tom Westley (Essex), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).
