England have named eight uncapped players in their 30-man training squad for the Test series to face West Indies next month. Surrey spinner Amar Virdi is joined in the group by Essex batsmen Dan Lawrence and Sussex bowler Ollie Robinson. The other uncapped Test players are Jamie Overton, Lewis Gregory James Bracey, Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson.
England all-rounder Moeen Ali is also back in Test contention having been named in the group of 30 players from which the team will be selected to face the West Indies in the opening Test on July 1.
The group will go into camp at the Ageas Bowl ahead of a three-day practice match on July 1 before the Test team is finalised. Three coaches have been seconded from the county game to work with England’s players.
Kent head coach Matthew Walker will assist Graham Thorpe on batting while Lancashire head coach Glenn Chapple has been brought in as bowling coach and Gloucestershire’s Richard Dawson will take charge of the spin bowlers. Former England wicketkeeper Chris Read will join as wicketkeeping consultant.
National selector Ed Smith said: “Everyone involved with England is delighted that cricket is returning soon and that the players are reporting for group training in preparation for the Test series against the West Indies.
“We’d also like to thank all the county coaches who have supported these players over the past few weeks. A squad for the first Test will be announced in due course.
Behind-closed-doors training group: Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Dominic Bess (Somerset), James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Joe Denly (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Lewis Gregory (Somerset), Keaton Jennings (Lancashire), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Jamie Overton (Somerset), Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Amar Virdi (Surrey), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham)
