E ight uncapped aces in England camp ahead of Windies Tests

ENGLAND have included eight uncapped players in their 30man training camp for next month’s Test series against the West Indies, as well as an expanded coaching team.

The England and Wales Cricket Board invited 55 players back to training at 11 different venues in recent weeks, with selectors refining that down.

The group will convene at the Ageas Bowl on June 23 and remain on site as they work towards an intra-squad match on July 1-3. That will provide a final chance to earn selection.

Of those included, Essex batsman Dan Lawrence, Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey, Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson, Somerset quick Jamie Overton and Surrey spinner Amar Virdi have yet to represent their country at all, while Saqib Mahmood, Lewis Gregory and Matt Parkinson have appeared in limited-overs cricket.

All of England’s established Test players are present, including Rory Burns, Jofra Archer, James Anderson and Mark Wood, who have been recovering from a variety of injuries.

Head coach Chris Silverwood and assistant Graham Thorpe have a reinforced backroom.

Lancashire’s Glen Chapple will help mentor the pace bowlers, Gloucestershire’s Richard Dawson will look after spin duties and Matthew Walker of Kent will join Thorpe in overseeing batsmen. Former Test wicketkeeper Chris Read has been appointed as wicketkeeping consultant, while ECB fielding coach Carl Hopkinson completes the team.

Paul Collingwood, one of Silverwood’s regular assistants, will lead a proposed one-day series against Ireland in August.

Selector Ed Smith said: “Everyone is delighted cricket is returning, and that players are reporting for training.”