ENG vs WI: Mark Wood returns as England’s starting line-up for Nottingham Test

Mark Wood returned to the England starting line-up for the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Wood came in as a direct replacement for the legendary James Anderson, who ended his international career following the home side’s massive victory in the opening Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The Three Lions also had the options of Matthew Potts and Dillon Pennington but they went in with the experience of Wood, who last played a Test in March against India at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. In 34 Tests, Wood picked up 108 wickets with 4 five-wicket hauls to his name.

Earlier, England men’s team managing director Rob Key said that they wanted to give Wood time after the pacer features in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He also spoke about bringing Wood in from the second Test onwards.

“Once you get out of T20 cricket you get into Test cricket very quickly… there’s a period where you can’t just put someone in a Test match,” Key said.

“Rest is probably not the right term but we hope he will be available for selection in the second and third Tests,” Key added.

Wood joins Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson in a strong English pace attack. The focus will be on Atkinson, who took 12 wickets on his Test debutincluding a 7-wicket haul in the first innings.

With a 1-0 lead after their win at Lord’s, Ben Stokes and Co will look to clinch the series in the second Test, which starts on Thursday, July 18.

England squad playing in Nottingham Test

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir