SOMERSET stars Jack Leach and Craig Overton have been named in the 16-strong squad for the three-match Test tour of the Caribbean starting next month.

The squad has been selected by a panel consisting of Sir Andrew Strauss (interim managing director of England men’s cricket), interim head coach Paul Collingwood and head scout James Taylor.

The full squad is as follows:

Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain

Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)

Zak Crawley (Kent)

Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire)

Ben Foakes (Surrey)

Dan Lawrence (Essex)

Jack Leach (Somerset)

Alex Lees (Durham)

Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)

Craig Overton (Somerset)

Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire)

Ollie Pope (Surrey)

Ollie Robinson (Sussex)

Ben Stokes (Durham)

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

Mark Wood (Durham)

Interim Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket, Sir Andrew Strauss, said: “With the start of a new cycle, it has allowed the selection panel to refresh the Test squad with a particular focus on competing away from home.

“We felt that it was time to draw a line after the Ashes defeat, look forward and give some impetus with an influx of new players.

“In respect of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, I want to emphasise this does not mean the end for them as England players. We feel that it is important to look at some exciting new bowling potential and give some added responsibility to other players who have featured previously. No one doubts the quality and experience that James and Stuart bring to the England set-up. It will be up to the new managing director and permanent head coach to decide on whether they will be involved this summer and beyond.

“This selection of this squad is the start of a process and a journey to get England Test cricket back to where it needs to be, and the hard work starts now.”

The three-match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship. Joe Root’s team will be looking to climb the rankings after a disappointing start to the second edition of the Championship. At the end of the two-year cycle, the top two teams will compete in the ICC World Test Championship Final due to be staged in 2023.