Named for the legendary West Indies player Sir Vivian Richards and the legendary English player Lord Ian Botham, the Richards Botham series is a historic rivalry that dates back to 1928, the year the West Indies made their first trip of England.
James Anderson, the legendary cricketer from England, will play his final Test match at Lord’s to cap off an incredible 21 years.
Player Squads
England Squad: Ben Stokes, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes
West Indies Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph (Vice-Captain), Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Jeremiah Louis, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair
West Indies
Kemar Roach has been replaced by St. Kitts & Nevis’ fast bowler, Jeremiah Louis due to Roach’s ongoing rehabilitation from a knee injury sustained during the County Championship in England.
Lead Selector the Most Honorable Dr. Desmond Haynes remarked “Kemar’s skill and experience in English conditions will be missed however this opportunity has been long in the making for Jeremiah Louis, he certainly has the skill and experience to make an impact in England.”
England
Nottinghamshire seamer Dillon Pennington and Surrey batsman Jamie Smith, who can also maintain wicket, have been picked for the first time at this level. This season, both have had exceptional performances in the Vitality County Championship Division One. Gus Atkinson, a seamer for Surrey, is the only other player without a cap. Earlier this year, he was included in the team for the Test tour of India.
After moving from Worcestershire to Nottinghamshire this year, Pennington, 25, has shown promise with the ball, claiming 29 Championship wickets at a 23.03 average in the premier league.
Smith, an attacking right-hand batsman who has averaged 50.70 this season and helped Surrey secure first place in Division One, has been in outstanding form. In addition to his England ODI debut against Ireland last summer, he is scheduled to be rewarded with his Test debut at Lord’s next week.
For the first time since July 2023, when he won Player of the Series in the Ashes series against Australia, Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes is back in the Test team.
Commenting on the selected squad, ECB Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, said:
“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.”
“We are looking forward to getting the season underway against a strong West Indies side in what will be an excellent Test series.”
Test Series against. West Indies: Schedule and Locations
- First Test: England vs. West Indies, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, July 10–14, 2024
- Second Test: England vs. West Indies, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, July 18, 22–22, 2024
- Third Test: England vs. West Indies, Birmingham’s Edgbaston, July 26, 30th, 2024
