England to name Jamie Smith as wicketkeeper for West Indies Test series

Jamie Smith is prepared to take on wicketkeeping duties for England against the West Indies. With Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow likely to be left out, Smith is expected to make his Test debut at Lord’s next month.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) intends to name Jamie Smith as the wicketkeeper for the West Indies Test series. The ECB is ready to entrust Surrey's Smith with the gloves, prioritizing him over Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow.

England has decided that Smith's batting form in both red and white-ball cricket is exceptional. In this season’s County Championship, he averaged 50.7 with a strike rate of 76.9.

Smith has previously played ODI cricket for England and will turn 24 on the third day of his first Test match at Lord’s, which coincides with what is expected to be James Anderson’s final Test.

England has also selected two uncapped fast bowlers: Gus Atkinson and Nottinghamshire's Dillon Pennington. Atkinson has played both white-ball formats internationally and toured with the Test squad in India earlier this year.