London: England dropped Jonny Bairstow from the 14-man squad for the first two Tests of next month’s three-match series against the West Indies, it was announced on Sunday, with the uncapped Jamie Smith taking over wicketkeeping duties.
There is also no place in the squad for Surrey’s first-choice wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, who Smith, 23, often deploys as a specialist batsman.
Seamen Gus Atkinson and Dillon Pennington, one of three players missing from Smith’s squad, hinted that England will rebuild ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes series in Australia.
But left-arm spinner Jack Leach was parted by Somerset team-mate Shoaib Bashir, the only specialist slow bowler.
Bairstow won his 100th cap in England’s previous Test against India in Dharamsala, but his 38 in 10 innings meant he could play his final Test.
Bairstow has struggled to regain top form since nearly a year out after suffering a horrific leg injury in a freak accident on the golf course.
Foakes was England’s wicket-keeper batsman in India’s 4-1 defeat and was praised for his work behind the wickets on awkward, spindly pitches.
But in Test cricket, the batting average is under 30 and England, at best, seems to get more runs from their wicketkeeper.
Smith suits the aggressive baseball approach adopted by England under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
He averaged 50 in the Championship this season for the champions and scored 155 for 179 against Warwickshire earlier in the campaign.
Smith represented England and played twice in the one-day international series against Ireland last year.
But since Foakes is Surrey’s favorite pundit, questions must be asked about his gloves.
The first Test at Lord’s begins on July 10, which will be England’s James Anderson’s final match before the 41-year-old retires from the format.
With fellow new baller Stuart Broad retiring after last year’s Ashes series, England must now decide how to replace two bowlers who have taken 1,304 Test wickets between them.
Experienced Chris Woakes was recalled on Sunday for the first time since he was named player for last year’s Ashes series.
Injuries have deprived England of a number of stars, but Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson, who has repeatedly warned about his fitness, is still out on Sunday, the day after Leicester’s record 43-wicket haul by Louis Kimber.
Conversely, Durham’s Matthew Potts took 23 wickets from six Tests under 30 after the first Test in 2022, recalling how Atkinson and Pennington also impressed in the county.
The 20-year-old Bashir had a quick look at the England team in India and responded with 17 wickets in three Tests.
But after failing to land Leach in Somerset, he had to go on loan to Worcestershire for first-class cricket this season.
However, he managed to get Leach out of the Test team.
