England vs West Indies Test series predictions: Windies can make England work

- James Anderson will play his last Test and look to add to his 700 wickets
- West Indies have won one of their last six Test matches
- Recommended bet: England to win the series 2-1

The first Test of a three-match series between England and West Indies gets underway at Lord’s on Wednesday.

All eyes will be on James Anderson as the veteran bowler plays his final match for his country and he will be out to improve his tally of 700 Test wickets.

The veteran though will only play in the opener and the series will see several England hopefuls look to make an impact on the five-day stage, with three players looking to make their debuts.

Team news

The England selectors have decided to make changes to the squad as they begin their preparations in earnest for the 2025-26 Ashes series.

There is no place for Jonny Bairstow, Jack Leach or Ben Foakes, as three-uncapped players are handed their chance to impress.

Surrey paceman Gus Atkinson, Nottinghamshire fast bowler Dillon Pennington and Surrey wicket-keeper Jamie Smith have all been called into the 14-man party.

There is also a recall for all-rounder Chris Woakes, who is included in the squad for the first time since last summer’s series with Australia.

Despite having their flights to the UK delayed, bowling duo Shamar Joseph and Gudakesh Motie are expected to feature in the first Test at Lord’s.

Pace bowler Joseph made a big impact in their 1-1 series draw in Australia and will likely work in tandem with Alzarri Joseph, with Kemar Roach missing through injury.

The stats

England lost 1-0 in the three-Test series in the Caribbean, when the two teams last met in March 2022.

However, it was all the way back in 1988 that the West Indies last won a Test series in England.

The last time the sides met in a Test series in the UK was in 2020, when England won 2-1.

England enjoyed an emphatic nine-wicket win in the most recent Test between the two teams at Lord’s in 2017, with Anderson taking nine wickets in that victory.

England have two batters in the top-10 of the Test rankings, with Joe Root second and Harry Brook in 10th.

The Windies do not have any players currently in the top-10 ICC bowling or batting rankings.

Prediction

The competitive nature of James Anderson will want him to finish on a high in his last Test and his experience can help the younger players in the squad kick on in the remaining matches.

The recent drawn series in Australia showed West Indies are moving in the right direction, but the conditions in England will be much different to those Down Under.

Green strips will help the bowlers swing the ball around but it will be a stern test of their batters, who will have their hands full dealing with the hosts’ pace attack.

England are also boosted by the fact that some of their batting line-up, including Joe Root and Ben Stokes, have been able to get some County Championship action under their belt.

Back England to win the series 2-1 at 3/1 with LiveScore Bet.