ENGLAND DROP JONNY BAIRSTOW FOR FIRST TWO TESTS AGAINST THE WEST INDIES

NEW DELHI: England's squad for the initial two Tests against the West Indies next month, announced on Sunday, did not include Jonny Bairstow. The wicketkeeping responsibilities will be handled by the uncapped Jamie Smith.

The squad also lacked Ben Foakes, the primary wicketkeeper for Surrey, where the 23-year-old Smith often plays as a specialist batsman.

Smith was among three uncapped players in the 14-man squad, alongside promising seamers Gus Atkinson and Dillon Pennington, as England aims to rebuild in preparation for the 2025/26 Ashes series in Australia.

However, Jack Leach was not selected, with his Somerset teammate Shoaib Bashir being the only specialist spinner in the squad.

Bairstow, who earned his 100th cap in England's last Test against India in Dharamsala, is struggling to save his Test career with a highest score of 38 in 10 innings.

Since returning to the game after nearly a year's absence due to a severe leg break sustained in a bizarre golfing accident, Bairstow has found it difficult to regain his best form.

Despite being highly commended for his wicketkeeping during England's 4-1 series defeat in India, Foakes has a Test batting average below 30.

Smith, a two-time participant in last year's ODI series against Ireland, seems to have embraced England's aggressive 'Bazball' strategy, implemented under the guidance of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. Smith's impressive County Championship performance this season for the reigning champions Surrey, including a remarkable 155 off 179 balls against Warwickshire, has caught the attention of the selectors.

The opening Test at Lord's, commencing on July 10, is set to be the swansong for England's legendary paceman James Anderson, who will bid farewell to the format at the age of 41. With Stuart Broad, Anderson's long-time new-ball partner, having already retired following last year's drawn Ashes series on home soil, England faces the challenge of finding suitable replacements for the duo, who have collectively amassed an astounding 1,304 Test wickets.

In a move to bolster the bowling lineup, Chris Woakes has been recalled to the England squad on Sunday, marking his first inclusion since being named player of the series in the 2023 Ashes against Australia. However, the team's plans have been hampered by injuries, which have sidelined several promising young talents.

Ollie Robinson, the Sussex seamer, was excluded from the squad on Sunday, despite repeated warnings about his fitness. This decision came shortly after Leicestershire's Louis Kimber hit him for a record-breaking 43 runs in a single over.

The England squad has welcomed back Durham's Matthew Potts, who impressed in his debut year of 2022, claiming 23 wickets at an average below 30 across six Test matches.

James Anderson's remarkable achievement of claiming 700 wickets in Test cricket is unparalleled by any fast bowler in the history of the game.

Moreover, Anderson's 187 Test wickets on English soil stand as a testament to his dominance in home conditions.

"The first Test of the summer is always a special moment, but it will be extra poignant with it being Jimmy's (Anderson) last Test before he retires," said England managing director Rob Key in a statement issued Sunday.

"He has given everything to the sport since his Test debut in 2003. We all would like to wish him well as he walks out at Lord's for the last time for England," added former England batsman Key, who is due to hold a press conference on Monday.

Rehan Bashir, the 20-year-old spinner, made a strong impression during his fast-tracked debut in India, taking 17 wickets in three Tests.

Bashir, who went on loan to Worcestershire after being unable to secure a place in the Somerset side ahead of Leach, has now successfully replaced his former teammate in the Test squad.