England have named Mark Stoneman as Alastair Cook’s latest opening partner while leg-spinner Mason Crane is a surprise inclusion in the 13-man squad for next week’s historic day-night Test against West Indies.
Stoneman, as widely anticipated, replaces the misfiring Keaton Jennings and will become the 12th batsman since Andrew Strauss retired five years ago to get a chance to stake his claim at the top of the order alongside Cook.
Crane’s call-up for Edgbaston was largely unexpected after an indifferent season with Hampshire although the 20-year-old made a positive impression in England’s Twenty20 series against South Africa in June.
National selector James Whitaker said: “Selectors would like to offer their congratulations to Mark Stoneman and Mason Crane who thoroughly deserve their opportunity in the squad.”
Surrey’s Mark Stoneman has replaced Jennings.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Joe Root (Yorkshire, captain)
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire, wk)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Mason Crane (Hampshire)
Dawid Malan (Middlesex)
Toby Roland-Jones (Middlesex)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Mark Stoneman (Surrey)
Tom Westley (Essex)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)