Bairstow Gets Call for Windies Opener

London: Jonathan Bairstow was named in an England Test squad for the first time on Sunday when he was included in a 13-man party for the series opener against the West Indies at Lord's starting Thursday.

The 22-year-old Yorkshireman is set to bat at number six if selected after all-rounder Ravi Bopara, in line to fill that middle order spot, was omitted from the squad after suffering a thigh injury playing for Essex.

Bairstow, who has played in six one-day internationals and six Twenty20 internationals, is the only player in England's 13 yet to be capped at Test level.

Since making an impressive ODI debut against India in Cardiff last September, he has also continued to shine in the longer format this year with two centuries already in this season's County Championship.

He has also made a fifty in the ongoing tour match between the second-string England Lions and the West Indies which concludes at Northampton on Sunday.

England squad for first Test at Lord's:

Andrew Strauss (captain)
Alastair Cook
Jonathan Trott
Kevin Pietersen
Ian Bell
Jonathan Bairstow
Matt Prior (wk)
Stuart Broad
Tim Bresnan
Graeme Swann
Steven Finn
James Anderson
Graham Onions

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs England - 3rd T20I South Africa vs India - 4th T20I 2nd T20I - Australia v Pakistan - November 16, 08:00 GMT 4th T20I - West Indies v England - November 16, 20:00 GMT 1st T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Brisbane Australia won by 29 runs 3rd T20I - South Africa v India at Centurion India won by 11 runs

Related links

West Indies Tour of England 2012 News

Hales Hits 99 in England T20 Win [+]

Alex Hales hits 99, England's highest international Twenty20 score, to lead them to victory over West Indies at Trent Bridge.

England T20 Vision Intact After KP Exit [+]

England T20 captain Stuart Broad is confident his side can mount a successful defence of their World T20 title this year despite the absence of Kevin Pietersen.

Eng-WI Final One-dayer Washed Out [+]

The final one-day international between England and West Indies at Headingley was washed out as torrential rain lashed Leeds leading to a call-off shortly after 1pm.

West Indies Looks Avoid Clean Sweep [+]

Vice-captain Dwayne Bravo says the West Indies' sole objective will be avoiding a clean sweep after the Caribbean side conceded the three-match one day international series with a second straight defeat on Tuesday.

England Rest Bowlers in Windies Final ODI [+]

England will rest three frontline bowlers for the third and final one-day international (ODI) against the West Indies at Headingley on Friday.

Cook Ton Seals Series Win For England [+]

England captain Alastair Cook led his side to a series-clinching eight-wicket win over the West Indies in the second ODI with an impressive hundred.

Unchanged England Opt to Bowl; Gayle Return [+]

England have won the toss and will bowl first against West Indies in the second ODI at Kennington Oval on Tuesday.

Injured Darren Bravo Return Home Before Crucial Game [+]

West Indies batsman Darren Bravo has returned home after being ruled out of the rest of the one-day international (ODI) series against England with a groin injury.

Bell Ton Sets up Comfortable Win [+]

Ian Bell marked his return to England's one-day side with a stylish century as they beat the West Indies by 114 runs (D/L method) in their series opener.

Injured Chris Gayle Out of First England One-dayer [+]

Chris Gayle's return to international cricket was delayed after the powerful West Indies batsman was ruled out of the first one-dayer against England with a foot injury.