Mark Wood Rejoins England for Second Test Against West Indies

Mark Wood has been recalled to the England squad, replacing the recently retired James Anderson for the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge, starting Thursday.

Wood, England's fastest bowler, missed the Lord's Test due to his late return from the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, where he took three wickets in five games. Despite not having played a first-class match for Durham this season, he was added to the squad following England's innings-and-114-run victory in the first Test at Lord's. Wood had previously participated in three of England's five Tests in India earlier this year.

This match marks the first time England will play a home Test without either Anderson or Stuart Broad in their XI since 2012, and only the second time since 2007. Anderson, now serving as England's bowling coach, was present at Trent Bridge on Tuesday after his farewell appearance at Lord's.

Wood's return means Matthew Potts and Dillon Pennington must wait for their chances. Potts, who took 23 wickets in his first six Tests in 2022 and 2023, has not played since the Ireland Test at Lord's last June. Pennington is yet to make his Test debut.

Wood's selection comes after the impressive debut of another fast bowler, Gus Atkinson, who took 12 for 106 in last week's win at Lord's, the fourth-best debut figure in Test history.

Shoaib Bashir, who did not bowl in the Lord's Test—his first home appearance—retains his place for the Nottingham match.

England XI:

1. Zak Crawley

2. Ben Duckett

3. Ollie Pope

4. Joe Root

5. Harry Brook

6. Ben Stokes (captain)

7. Jamie Smith (wk)

8. Chris Woakes

9. Gus Atkinson

10. Mark Wood

11. Shoaib Bashir