Ramnaresh Sarwan (23/6/1980)
Sarwan has some big boots to fill as captain after the retirement of Brian Lara but he will be a popular choice and has scored more than 4,200 Test runs, including nine centuries. Has run hot and cold with the bat and needs to get some more consistency in his game.

Dwayne Bravo (10/7/1983)
Dangerous bowling all-rounder who is one of the best fielders in the game. He will be looking for more runs to go with his wicket-taking deliveries. The find of the series when West Indies last played England away, in 2004, taking a six-wicket haul at Old Trafford and chipping in with valuable contributions elsewhere.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (18/8/1974)
Former captain who made his Test debut against England in 1994, Chanderpaul has taken runs off all the international teams with his unorthodox stance, scoring a double-century against South Africa on his debut as captain. He once managed to shoot a policeman in the hand in his native Guyana after mistaking him for a mugger.

Corey Collymore (21/12/1977)
Has developed into an accurate fast-medium bowler after a severe back injury forced him to cut down his pace. Has been in and out of the team as the selectors have been guilty of wanting someone with a bit more aggression to their bowling.

Fidel Edwards (6/2/1982)
Edwards made his Test debut after just one match for Barbados and took five wickets with his slingy action against Sri Lanka in Jamaica in June 2003. However, he has struggled for consistency and has been dogged by back problems.

Daren Ganga (14/1/1979)
The phlegmatic opener has scored three Test hundreds, including back-to-back centuries against Australia. He has had an erratic international career but is now more of a fixture in the side. Has been appointed vice-captain for the tour of England.

Chris Gayle (21/9/1979)
Destructive left-handed opening batsman who smashed Matthew Hoggard for six fours off one Matthew Hoggard over during the series against England in 2004. He is a prolific scorer in all forms of cricket. The closest West Indies have to a specialist spinner in the squad.

Sylvester Joseph (5/9/1978)
Joseph made his Test debut at Old Trafford in 2004 and will compete with Runako Morton for a place in the middle order. He has been recalled after two strong domestic seasons and success for West Indies A.

Runako Morton (22/7/1978)
Controversy has followed Runako's career ever since he was expelled from the West Indies Academy in 2001 and lied about the death of his grandmother. He does have a one-day international hundred to his credit but is also holder of the record for the slowest ODI duck - made in 31 balls.

Daren Powell (15/4/1978)
Made his Test debut in 2002 and is more than capable of hurrying the best batsmen, but is prone to injury and overdoing the short-pitch delivery, especially on sub-continental wickets.

Denesh Ramdin (13/10/1985)
A neat and tidy young wicket-keeper with good footwork who registered a half-century on his Test debut against Sri Lanka. A former West Indies Under-19 captain, he was selected for the full international side after playing just 13 first-class games.

Ravi Rampaul (22/7/1978)
Seam-bowling all-rounder who has played one-day international cricket but has been plagued by shin splints in recent years. He returned in 2006-07 with 20 domestic wickets and earned his second trip to England.

Darren Sammy (20/12/1983)
A former member of the MCC cricket staff at Lord's, Sammy is another seam bowling all-rounder who will be looking to make his Test debut. He is the first international cricketer from the island of St Lucia.

Devon Smith (21/10/1981)
Smith blasted 62 on his Test debut against Australia and in 2004 he was selected to open against England. He hit a stylish century as his team struggled around him, but then broke his finger in net practice and was unable to play the last two matches.

Jerome Taylor (22/6/1984)
One of the fastest bowlers West Indies have had in recent years, Taylor has a smooth approach and fluid action but has suffered from back problems which have limited his appearances. Made his international debut at the age of 18, having played a solitary one-day match for Jamaica.