England vs West Indies 2017: 5 players to watch out for

#3 Mark Stoneman

Mark Stoneman is set for a Test debut against West Indies after a successful first-class season in 2016-17

Confirmed as Alastair Cook’s 12 opening partner since the departure of Andrew Strauss in 2012, Stoneman is set to become the eighth debutant in a day-night Test. Long termed as an alternative for Keaton Jennings, a move to Surrey from Durham post the conclusion of the County Championship last year has brought along its share of awareness among the cricket watching public in the country.

The second-highest run-getter so far into the domestic season, Stoneman’s selection was long due with Jennings’ flaws in foot movement and fragilities outside off-stump exposed by the pace battery of South Africa, and the next biggest challenger, Lancashire’s Haseeb Hameed, losing his healing touch in first-class cricket this year.

Stoneman, aged 30, is burning full of desire to wear his country’s whites, and a relatively modest bowling attack of the West Indies might help in easing down nerves which he would have accumulated since the phone call of the national selector James Whitaker.

Commencing an international career at that age makes him the oldest frontline batsman chosen by England this millennium, but Stoneman remains determined to gratify Whitaker and company with substantial runs before England catch the flight for the all-important Ashes later in the year. A left-hander with a respected technique, early progress for Stoneman at the biggest stage can act as a huge boost to book his place in the squad for Australia this winter.