England's Atkinson, Smith to make test debuts against Windies

LONDON : Fast bowler Gus Atkinson and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith will make their red-ball debuts for England in the first of the three-match home series against West Indies, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Monday.

The match, to be played at Lord's from July 10, will be fast bowler James Anderson's last test, with the 41-year-old earning his 188th cap 21 years after his debut.

Spinner Shoaib Bashir, who made his test debut in India this year, will play his first test at home and fast bowler Chris Woakes was recalled to the team.

The second and third tests are in Nottingham (July 18-22) and Birmingham (July 26-30).

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson