Jonathan Trott has returned to an England squad for the first time since having to leave the 2013-14 Ashes with a stress-related problem.
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Trott, who flew home after the opening defeat in Brisbane 16 months ago, is recalled in a 16-man touring party for three Tests in the West Indies.
The squad, announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board yesterday, also includes a return for Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes as well as places for his fast-bowling county team-mate Mark Wood and Yorkshire’s spinner Adil Rashid and opening batsman Adam Lyth – all three as yet uncapped at Test level.
Trott returns plus first call-ups for Lyth, Rashid and Wood #WIvEng https://t.co/jskA8ovSov
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) March 18, 2015
Lyth and Rashid are among six Yorkshire players selected as Alastair Cook picks up the reins again after being replaced as World Cup captain before Christmas.
Eight of those who fell short in the 50-over format, knocked out by Bangladesh last week, are retained for the Test trip to the Windies which begins early next month.
Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes, who both finished the World Cup injured, are not among them as they recover from their respective side and foot problems – although the Worcestershire all-rounder may join the tour later.
Trott, who will be 34 next month, is unlikely to be back in the England No3 position he made his own for several years – because Gary Ballance has been such a success there.
Instead it seems sure to be a battle between him and Lyth to push for the chance to open with Cook. The first Test will be played in Antigua from April 13, followed by the second in Grenada (April 21-25) and Barbados (May 1-5).
