Root has confidence in England’s selection

Joe Root insists he has confidence in the side England have named for the first Test at Edgbaston and believes Jofra Archer will have a part to play in the series.

The Barbados-born paceman received his maiden call-up for the series opener following his crucial role in England’s World Cup win but must wait for his chance.

He joins all-rounder Sam Curran and Olly Stone in missing out, with senior seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad joined by Chris Woakes in the XI.

The top seven had already been settled, with the news that captain Root had asked for a return to the problematic number-three slot also removing any questions over the batting order.

That means the decision to delay Archer’s introduction to the red-ball format will garner most of the attention.

“I wouldn’t have named it if I wasn’t confident. We are very excited as a group,” Root said of the line-up.

“We have a good record here as a team. It’s very important that we are very focused and very clear on how we want to approach this series and that first day in particular.

“We feel confident this group of players is more than capable of winning this Test match.

“Jofra is coming back from quite a serious injury. We looked at conditions and made a decision on what we thought would best take 20 wickets here.

“It also gives him time to get absolutely ready and fit to make sure he has his workloads up and ready to go for later in the series if he needs to make an impact.”

In the end, England have treated Archer with caution, retaining the Broad and Woakes axis which skittled Ireland for just 38 in the previous Test and adding in record wicket-taker Anderson, who turned 37 on Tuesday.

Root’s decision to move up to number three in the order means Joe Denly drops to number four, with Jason Roy and Rory Burns set to open.

Joe Root and Tim Paine with the all-important urn.