JENNINGS IS BACK FOR ENGLAND AS AXE FALLS ON FOAKES

England have rolled the dice for the final Test against the West Indies, recalling Keaton Jennings in place of dropped wicketkeeper Ben Foakes and including injury doubt Ben Stokes in a 12-man squad.

Jennings was axed for last week’s ten-wicket loss in antigua but will now make a rapid return, leaving Foakes in the cold and Jonny Bairstow to reclaim the gloves.

Foakes had been struggling with a bruised hand but was passed fit for the match, which starts today at St lucia’s darren Sammy Stadium.

Stokes was suffering from a bruised right heel but trained with the team on the eve of the Test and will be assessed before a final decision is made on his involvement.

If England decide not to risk the all-rounder, Sam Curran will keep his place. Paceman Mark Wood is set to play, regardless.

This has now become a huge test of the quality and gumption of England and captain Joe Root, whose batting form has slumped so alarmingly that he needs to prove he is capable of coping with the demands of leadership.

Yesterday, Root had to defend the ‘total-cricket’ policy used so successfully in Sri lanka but which has been exposed by a West Indies side full of pace, aggression, discipline and application.

‘What I said was you have to score runs to win Tests, not just bat time,’ said Root while clarifying the pre-series comments that suggested England wanted to bring their successful white-ball tactics into the longer game.

‘look at how West Indies have batted and you can see they have struck the right balance. They have found a method that works for them in these conditions.

‘Individually, we must find ways of exploiting surfaces in front of us and how to score consistently while managing risk.’