England name 14 man squad for series decider at Old Trafford

The England and Wales Cricket Board have announced the squad that will take on the West Indies in the third and final Test at Old Trafford. Veteran fast bowler James Anderson is back in the side, having been rested for the previous Test match. He will be replacing rookie Sussex quick Ollie Robinson. Mark Wood has […]
 
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England name 14 man squad for series decider at Old Trafford

The England and Wales Cricket Board have announced the squad that will take on the West Indies in the third and final Test at Old Trafford. Veteran fast bowler James Anderson is back in the side, having been rested for the previous Test match. He will be replacing rookie Sussex quick Ollie Robinson. Mark Wood has also returned to the side, and so has Jofra Archer, who missed out on the action last game due to a major breach of the bio-secure protocols.

Here is the squad:
Joe Root (c)
Ben Stokes (vc)
Rory Burns
Dominic Sibley
Zak Crawley
Ollie Pope
Jos Buttler (wk)
Dominic Bess
Sam Curran
Chris Woakes
Jofra Archer
Stuart Broad
James Anderson
Mark Wood

ALSO READ: If Stuart Broad and I are both fit, we’d both be in the England bowling attack: James Anderson

England will be spoiled for choice while picking their best combination of fast bowlers, having 4 frontline quicks and two all rounders to make a choice from. Unless there are any last minute mishaps, it is very much likely that the experienced duo of Anderson and Broad will get to play together for the first time in this series, which would imply that either one of the four remaining quicks will be taking that third seamer’s spot. Given how Chris Woakes and Sam Curran bowled in the previous Test match, they seem like frontrunners for that spot. On the other hand, the prospect of unleashing sheer pace in the form of either Jofra Archer or Mark Wood will provide further selection conundrums for skipper Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood. England might also be tempted to play a fourth seamer, with the weather forecast indicating a traditional Old Trafford Test match, under cloudy skies.

Other than the slight shuffle and addition in the fast bowling department, the squad looks almost identical to the previous two Test matches. Jos Buttler keeps his place in the side as first choice wicketkeeper, much to the disappointment of the purists among the England fans, who want Surrey’s Ben Foakes, who has been impeccable behind the stumps over the past few years for both county, and his country whenever required, to be handed the gloves for good in the International stage. Dom Bess retains his place in the side as well, ahead of fan favourite Jack Leach.

England name 14 man squad for series decider at Old Trafford