Campbell recalled to West Indies' squad for first England Test
Campbell last played a Test in April 2021 against Sri Lanka at home and was not included in Windies' subsequent series against South Africa, Pakistan and the away Sri Lanka series. The 28-year-old has played 15 Tests so far and scored 640 runs, including two fifties. He was impressive in the West Indies Championship, hitting 213 runs at an average of 53.25, including 127 against Barbados.
Also included is 25-year-old seamer Anderson Phillip, who has only played one international so far – an ODI against Sri Lanka last year. Phillip was included after he produced a stellar performance in the Championship taking 12 wickets at an average of 14.25 per wicket, with best figures of 5/82 against Jamaica.
"Anderson Phillip bowled extremely well and was very impressive in the first two rounds of the West Indies Championship and we decided to give him an opportunity in the Test squad to face England. He has been around the squad before in white ball cricket, so he has some experience at the international level," said Lead Selector Desmond Haynes.
Notable names missing from the list include Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shai Hope, Jeremy Solozano and Jomel Warrican, all part of the squad that lost 2-0 to Sri Lanka. Shannon Gabriel also is absent through a hamstring injury.
“I expect us to be very competitive against England," added Haynes. "This should be a very exciting series, with a lot of players who are out to make their mark.
We have a squad that has some experienced players, as well as some exciting young players and we expect them to equip themselves well and do the job.”
The three-match Test series begins on March 8, with the first match taking place in Antigua.
Squad for first Test: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales