OLD TRAFFORD, July 15: After losing the first Test, England will look to win the second game and level the three match series as they take on West Indies in Manchester on Thursday.
The Jason Holder led West Indies put in an all-round performance and outclassed England by four wickets in the first match to go 1-0 up in the series in Southampton.
While West Indies last won the first Test of an overseas series against a top nation (excluding Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan) before this 13 years back, England have lost the first Test of each of their last five series.
West Indies will the aim to win their second consecutive match and seal the fate of the series. They have not won a Test series in England for 32 years.
Regular England skipper Joe Root, who had missed the first match due to the birth of his baby is expected to return in place of Joe Denly, who was dismissed for low scores in both the innings in the first Test.
Zak Crawley’s 76 in the second innings in Southampton could see him remain in the starting line-up. Mark Wood could face pressure from veteran Stuart Broad after his listless show in the first Test.
The other possible change is Jack Leach stepping in for the inexperienced Dom Bess. While Bess was good enough in the series opener, he had to counter as many as 10 right-handers in the West Indies line-up.
With Leach turning the ball away from right-handers, he might be considered a bigger threat against this West Indies batting unit.
On the other hand, West Indies appeared well settled with their playing XI. However, they do have concerns surrounding the form of Shai Hope.
Nkrumah Bonner could be handed a debut if they decide to keep Hope on the bench. They could also bring in Rahkeem Cornwall to give Chase some support in the spin department and move Jason Holder up the order in the batting line-up.
The last series between these sides happened in West Indies and once again England were playing catch-up after a loss in Bridgetown in the first Test.
England went on to lose the second Test in North Sound and conceded the series to the hosts. While they won the dead rubber in Gros Islet, it was pretty clear that West Indies were the better team in those conditions. (UNI)
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