Ben Stokes will captain England for the first time in next week’s opening Test against the West Indies, taking over from regular skipper Joe Root as he takes time out for the birth of his second child.

Root’s wife Carrie is due to give birth later this week and, with the strict protocols in place to ensure the series takes place in a ‘bio-secure’ environment, he will need to be isolated from the group for at least a week on his return from hospital.

That means the rubberstamping of Stokes’ temporary promotion at the Ageas Bowl next week, having never before taken the reins in his professional career.

In all six uncapped players make the cut, with only Somerset’s Jamie Overton and Surrey’s Amar Virdi left out from the original training group of 30.

“You know the people who are the mainstay of our side, the engine room, but this is a great opportunity for some of the other players to show us what they can do in this game,” said Silverwood.

“We’ve mixed the sides up to make make it as competitive as possible and to have a good game going into this first Test. I’m sure there’ll be a few in there who are very keen to impress.

“We tend to look at ourselves as one cricketing family behind these closed doors down here but, certainly on the field, I expect hard cricket out there.”