England's Test squad for West Indies tour announced - Jonathan Trott makes a comeback

Jonathan Trott returns to the English side after the 2013-14 Ashes series

After a bizarre exit from the World Cup’15 in the preliminary round, losing to Bangladesh, the entire English Cricket team came under scathing criticism from all quarters of the world. As a means to put the wretched past behind and move ahead, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced the squad for the team’s tour of West Indies in April.

The squad for the three-Test tour to the Caribbean islands which begins from April 13th was announced on Wednesday morning. Alastair Cook, who was stripped off his One-Day captaincy and was dropped from the World Cup contingent, will once again take up the honor of leading the Test side.

Jonathan Trott earns a recall:

What caught everyone by surprise was the inclusion of Jonathan Trott. The England batsman had temporarily retired out of the scene citing stress related issues during the 2013-14 Ashes series. The 33-year-old Warwickshire player who has nine Test hundreds to his name was already speculated to earn a recall just before the official announcement was made.

The 16-men squad also includes three uncapped players - Yorkshire's Adam Lyth and Adil Rashid, and Durham seam bowler Mark Wood. Along with these players, Ben Stokes, who wasn’t considered for the World Cup also joins the party. Fast bowler Liam Plunket, batsman Gary Ballance and off-spinner were also called in. Besides their first choice wicket-keeper Jos Buttler, the management also announced a back-up option by naming Jonny Bairstow.

Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes not included:

Hit by injury concerns. both Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes were not named in the squad, however they are expected to join the tour later if found fit. Sam Robson, who opened the batting last year, has been dropped. James Taylor failed to find a spot as well.

Speaking after announcing the squad, national selector James Whitaker 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.”

England are also playing an Ashes this summer starting from July and the selectors would sure have taken note of it while selecting the squad. Further, to elaborate on Trott’s recall, he said, “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.”, justified the selector on the newbies’ inclusion.

England Squad:

AN Cook (Captain), IJL Trott, A Lyth, GS Ballance, IR Bell, JE Root, JC Buttler (wkt), JM Bairstow (wkt), BA Stokes, AU Rashid, JC Tredwell, LE Plunkett, SCJ Broad, CJ Jordan, JM Anderson, MA Wood.