Lyth called up to England squad for Windies tour

Former Scarborough Cricket Club batsman Adam Lyth has been called into the England squad for the tour of the West Indies.
Lancashire v Yorkshire County Championship Old Trafford 1st sept 2014 Adam Lyth hits a boundry on his way to his  century for Yorkshire against LancashireLancashire v Yorkshire County Championship Old Trafford 1st sept 2014 Adam Lyth hits a boundry on his way to his  century for Yorkshire against Lancashire
Lancashire v Yorkshire County Championship Old Trafford 1st sept 2014 Adam Lyth hits a boundry on his way to his century for Yorkshire against Lancashire

The left-handed Yorkshire opener, who had an outstanding domestic season in 2014, is one of six Tykes to be included in the squad, with Joe Root, Gary Ballance, Liam Plunkett, Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid also in the 16-man touring party.

Jonathan Trott has also returned to an England squad for the first time since having to leave the 2013-14 Ashes with a stress-related problem.

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Trott, who flew home after the opening defeat in Brisbane 16 months ago, is recalled for the three Tests in the West Indies.

The squad, announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board on Wednesday morning, also includes a return for Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes as well as places for his fast-bowling county teammate Mark Wood and spinner Rashid and opening batsman Lyth - all three as yet uncapped at Test level.

Whitby-based Lyth is likely to contend with Trott for a vacant opener’s slot alongside Alastair Cook in place of the dropped Sam Robson.

National selector James Whitaker takes note of the importance of starting an Ashes year well.

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He said: “This series marks the start of a busy period of Test Match cricket for the England team, and I am sure that Alastair and the players will all be keen to build on the success they enjoyed last summer against India.

“Jonathan Trott produced some outstanding performances for Warwickshire last summer, scoring five centuries, and also made an unbeaten double-hundred during the recent successful England Lions tour.

“He is a player of proven international pedigree, and we are delighted to welcome him back into the squad.

“Adam, Adil and Mark are all players who have performed impressively over the last 12 months - and they will now have an opportunity to push for a regular place in the Test side’s starting line-up.”

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Cook picks up the reins again after being replaced as World Cup captain before Christmas, only for England to then endure a miserable early exit from the global tournament under Eoin Morgan.

Eight of those who fell short in the 50-over format, knocked out by Bangladesh last week, are retained for the Test trip to the Windies which begins early next month.

Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes, who both finished the World Cup injured, are not among them as they recover from their respective side and foot problems - although the Worcestershire all-rounder may join the tour later, depending on his progress.

England Test squad: Alastair Cook (Essex) captain, James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).