England Cricket Board has announced a 14-member squad under the leadership of Ben Stokes for the first two Tests of the 3-match series against the West Indies, starting at Lord’s on Wednesday, 10 July 2024.
It is pertinent to mention that the first match of the series will be the farewell Test of the legendary pacer James Anderson.
“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. 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,” ECB Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, said in a release. 
Nottinghamshire seamer Dillon Pennington and Surrey batter Jamie Smith have earned their maiden Test call-ups after their impressive performance in the County Championship. Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson is the only other uncapped player in the squad, who was part of the squad for the Test tour of India earlier this year.
The 25-year-old Pennington, who joined Nottinghamshire this year from Worcestershire, has proved his mettle with the ball, taking 29 Championship wickets at an average of 23.03. On the other hand, right-handed wicket-keeper batter Smith has been in spectacular form this campaign, helping Surrey consolidate their top spot in Division One, and has stockpiled 507 runs at an average of 76.93.
Chris Woakes returns to the Test squad for the first time since July 2023, when the Warwickshire seamer was awarded the Player of the Series during the Ashes series against Australia.
The five players who were also part of England’s recent tour of India – Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, and Ollie Robinson – have been left out of the squad for the first two Tests against the West Indies.
England’s Squad For First Two Test Against West Indies
Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson(First Test only), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes
Schedule For England vs West Indies Test Series
1st Test: England v West Indies, 10-14 July 2024, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
2nd Test: England v West Indies, 18-22 July 2024, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test: England v West Indies, 26-30 July 2024, Edgbaston, Birmingham
