London:The England and Wales Cricket Board on Wednesday announced a 30-member training group which will live and train at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton ahead of the three Test series against West Indies, starting July 8.
The most notable inclusion is that of Moeen Ali, who was left out of the squads for all three winter Test series after requesting a break from the longest format. The likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, captain Root and vice-captain Ben Stokes, are all part of the 30-member training group.
The squad will begin training behind closed doors at the Ageas Bowl from June 23 before playing a 3-day practice match on July 1. The squad for the 1st Test against West Indies will be announced after the practice match, the ECB said in a statement.
Commenting on the selection of the group, National Selector Ed Smith, said, "Everyone involved with England is delighted that cricket is returning soon, and that the players are reporting for group training in preparation for the Test series against the West Indies.''
"We'd also like to thank all the county coaches who have supported these players over the past few weeks. A squad for the first Test will be announced in due course," he added.
The 3-Test series which will be played in a bio-secure environment at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton and the Old Trafford in Manchester. The 7-week tour will only be held in two venues which are 'bio secure' and have hotels attached to the stadiums or nearby the cricket grounds.
England's 30-member training group: Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Dominic Bess, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Lewis Gregory, Keaton Jennings, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Amar Virdi, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.(UNI)