England delay but changes are inevitable
ENGLAND held off naming a team or even squad for tomorrow’s Second Test against West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford as they wrestled with how many changes to make.
West Indies lead the series 1-0 after they beat England by four wickets at the Ageas Bowl on Sunday, and can retain the Wisden Trophy with a draw in Manchester. Victory there would give them their first series win on these shores since 1988, the summer when English cricket was in such a state that they fielded four different Test captains.
Things are not quite as complicated for the hosts this time, but they do have some selection headaches to contend with. Training since they arrived in Manchester has also not been simple, with the outdoor nets playing spicily yesterday, and rain forcing them indoors for their session this morning.
Captain Joe Root will return to the side
after the birth of his second child 13 days ago, but that is unlikely to be the only change. Root was due to meet head coach Chris Silverwood and national selector Ed Smith at lunchtime today to finalise a 13-man squad. There are currently 23 players at Old Trafford, so they have every base covered in the age of Covid-19, with the final XI being decided tomorrow morning.
Barring a late change of heart, Joe Denly looks certain to be left out for Root, with Zak Crawley moving to No3. For now, Jos Buttler’s place appears safe, but another poor display could see him dropped for the final Test next week.
Stuart Broad, who has 485 Test wickets, was left out in Southampton and looks highly likely to return, probably for James Anderson — the only man ahead of him on England’s all-time wicket-taking list.
England have six Tests in seven weeks this summer, so need to rotate their fast bowlers. Chris Woakes and Sam Curran could also get the nod, with Mark Wood more likely to drop out than Jofra Archer.
West Indies head coach Phil Simmons is confident that opener John Campbell will be fit after being hit on the foot by an Archer delivery at Southampton.