The ECB have confirmed the first squad post-lockdown for the first test match against the West Indies scheduled to start on Wednesday 8 July at the Ageas Bowl.
Ben Stokes has been confirmed as the captain of the side with Joe Root missing the game to be with his wife at the birth of his second child.
Stokes will captain the side for the first time and will have a tough time negotiating a very different atmosphere or lack thereof on Wednesday with the game to be played behind closed doors.
Young all-rounder Sam Curran has not made the cut despite his brilliant display against the West Indies the last time the two sides met in the test arena.
Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow have been left out completely while Dom Bess will take on the spin bowling duties ahead of Jack Leach. Joe Denly has been given another opportunity in place of Dan Lawrence.
Jimmy Anderson has been included alongside Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood in what is a large variety of seam options that England have to choose from.
England squad for first Test:Â Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Reserves:Â James Bracey, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone