England kept faith yesterday with the squad that delivered a Test whitewash in Sri Lanka, naming the same 16 players who finished that tour for the series against the West Indies.
That means no place for Surrey’s Ollie Pope, who was initially selected for Sri Lanka but left early to get game time with the second-tier Lions side, and a reprieve for Kent’s Joe Denly.
The uncapped 32-year-old was not required during the 3-0 win but will once again travel as batting cover for the three Tests, ahead of Pope and his overlooked county colleague Jason Roy.
Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes was a late addition in Sri Lanka after an injury to Jonny Bairstow and takes his place as a first-choice pick after collecting man-of-the-series honours.
The 15-man one-day squad also has a familiar look as the countdown to next summer’s World Cup continues.
Left-armer David Willey returns and Mark Wood is included ahead of Olly Stone, who made his bow in Sri Lanka.
Ben Stokes and Alex Hales have both been named in the ODI squad after a disciplinary hearing into their roles in a fight outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017, with all-rounder Stokes also in the Test squad.
“Ben is obviously in all England formats and is one of our leading cricketers in this country,” national selector Ed Smith told Sky Sports.
“Alex has been a central part of the white-ball team for a number of years. He’s currently missed out on selection at times but when he’s got his opportunities, he’s taken them.
“So nothing has changed. They are available for selection, they have been selected and that’s the situation — that’s what is appropriate for me to consider as a selector.”
England are due to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals on their tour of the West Indies, which starts next month.
The T20 squad will be announced at a later date.
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