Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood will make his Test debut for England in the second Test against West Indies, starting March 16 in Barbados.

Mahmood replaces injured Mark Wood in the playing XI, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Tuesday (March 15).

Barring this forced change, the visitors haven’t many any other tweaks in their team that drew on a flat pitch in Antigua last week.

While Saqib Mahmood has represented England in 7 ODIs and 12 T20Is, it will be his first appearance in the longest format.

On the eve of the match, England captain Joe Root said Mahmood was a "great option to have up our sleeve".

"He's very mature for a guy who hasn't played a huge amount of international cricket and he has an understanding of how he wants to operate," Root said in comments carried by the BBC.

"He's been very impressive. He's got a slightly different trajectory and will give us a point of difference. He has done that when he's played in other formats."

In the first Test, England’s seam attack featured Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, and Mark Wood besides all-rounder Ben Stokes. Notably, veteran campaigners James Anderson and Stuart Broad have been dropped from the side following the 4-0 Ashes humiliation Down Under.

England XI for second Test:

Joe Root (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Saqib Mahmood

(With AFP inputs)