Mark Stoneman and Mason Crane in England Test squad to play West Indies

Surrey opener Stoneman replaces former teammate Keaton Jennings at the top of the order, while Crane will likely not play at Edgbaston

Stoneman has earned his call-up after excellent back-to-back seasons at Durham and now Surrey (Getty Images)

Mark Stoneman was unfortunate to miss out on England's Test team that beat South Africa so convincingly this summer, but will finally get his chance after being included in the squad for the first Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston next week.

Mason Crane is also in line to make a debut, though the Hampshire leg-spinner is thought to have been included more for experience than anything else.

Stoneman, on the other hand, should get his chance to play as a replacement for former Durham teammate Keaton Jennings. While Jennings remains in the ECB's long-term plans, an inconsistent showing at the top of the order meant he never took full hold of the chance he was afforded to establish himself as Alastair Cook's opening partner. The 25-year-old batsman has attracted some criticism for being bowled too often for an opener.

For 30-year-old Stoneman, though, this is an overdue opportunity and one that he had begun to fear would never arrive. Ahead of the Oval Test last month there was some expectation that he would be selected, especially at Surrey where he has excelled since his winter switch from Durham. Stoneman has passed 1000 runs for the fifth consecutive season and averages north of 50 in the County Championship but, on the day before the Oval Test, he was instead playing in a rainy charity game at Reigate, Surrey, where one girl fielded in high heels.

Next Thursday will feel rather different as he prepares to receive an England cap bearing the number 680. Tom Westley, number 679, retains his place in the squad while Chris Woakes returns to the squad and could displace the unfortunate Toby Roland-Jones, who has impressed in his brief opportunity as an international seamer.


 Stoneman's move to Surrey was made with England recognition in mind 
 (Getty)

James Whitaker, the National Selector, said: “After an excellent series victory over South Africa, our first against them on home soil since 1998, we now look forward to building on our success against the West Indies.

“Selectors would like to offer their congratulations to Mark Stoneman and Mason Crane who thoroughly deserve their opportunity in the squad.

“Keaton Jennings will return to Durham and will look to recapture the form that earned him selection in the first place. I am sure he will find his confidence and look to score runs in the remaining matches of this season.

“Chris Woakes has proved his fitness and returns to the squad having missed most of the summer through injury. He was impressive in his return game at Lord’s this week and if selected in the final line-up, he will be relishing the prospect of playing on his home ground.”

England squad in full

Joe Root (Yorkshire, captain)

Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)

James Anderson (Lancashire)

Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire, wk)

Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)

Alastair Cook (Essex)

Mason Crane (Hampshire)

Dawid Malan (Middlesex)

Toby Roland-Jones (Middlesex)

Ben Stokes (Durham)

Mark Stoneman (Surrey)

Tom Westley (Essex)

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)