England v West Indies: Ben Stokes says it is an ‘exciting time’ to be fast bowler

Anderson and Broad, England’s two all-time leading wicket-takers, have retired in back-to-back home Tests, albeit almost a year apart. In Anderson’s case, the 41-year-old was moved on by England as part of a raft of changes with the 2025-26 Ashes tour of Australia in mind.

Matthew Potts, who has six Test caps, and the uncapped Dillon Pennington are the unused fast bowlers in England’s squad at Trent Bridge. Managing director Rob Key has also mentioned Essex’s Sam Cook as another who could play this summer.

“It’s a really exciting time to be a fast bowler in England,” said all-rounder Stokes. “It is very exciting, the prospect of seeing Gus Atkinson bowl at one end and Mark Wood at the other.

“There will be opportunities for Dillon no doubt in the summer, but at this moment in time Woody makes it into our strongest XI.”

Stokes also said there is a “plan in place” if Ben Duckett’s partner Paige goes into labour, with the couple expecting their first child.

Nottinghamshire opener Duckett is due to play a Test on his home ground for the first time and is only likely to miss out completely should the birth begin before the match starts on Thursday morning. Dan Lawrence is on standby to come in.