The series decider between England and West Indies is all set to get underway in Manchester tomorrow. While Windies sealed the first match in Ageas Bowl, the hosts England came back strongly to level the series in the second Test match. With the prestigious Wisden trophy on the line, players from both sides will be hoping to make a big impact on the outcome of the result.
Here we look at five players who are expected to make an impact in the final Test in Manchester:
This is an absolute no brainer. With the kind of form that Stokes is in now, he can singlehandedly change the fate of a Test match. Over the last two years, he has scored 1433 runs at a staggering average of 54.87 and has picked up 39 wickets at an average of 28.8. To add to that he averages 54.9 in Tests against the visitors West Indies, which is the highest for him against any Test-playing nation. His 693 runs at an average of 66 from 7 innings in Manchester is also a point to be noted.
England captain Joe Root may not have had a memorable series with the bat so far, but his numbers in Manchester is something to be looked at. In 11 innings that he played at the Old Trafford, he has scored 640 runs at a staggering average of 71.1. It is also worth noting that his highest Test score of 254 was achieved at this venue 4 years ago against Pakistan.
Currently, World’s number 2 Test all-rounder Jason Holder is expected to bounce back for the last Test considering the incredible string of performances that he had in the last few years. From 2018 onwards he has taken 61 wickets at an outstanding average of 15.52 along with some valuable contributions with the bat. Holder will leave behind the disappointment regarding the last Test and will be focused on winning a Test series in England, which no West Indies team has done since 1988.
The Old Trafford in Manchester is the favourite hunting ground for the English veteran James Anderson. He has so far taken 28 wickets at an average of 21.8 at this venue. After being rested for the 2nd Test, he will be all geared up to take off from the James Anderson end in Manchester.
Ever since breaking out into the Test side, Brooks has made a name for himself as one of the reliable batsmen in the current Windies line-up. In the last Test, he impressed with the scores of 68 and 62. It is just a matter of time till he converts these starts into a big score. In just 9 innings he has come out to bat for the West Indies, he has scored 343 runs with an average of 38.1.
England vs West Indies 3rd Test Predicted XIs
Will the West Indies team under Holder create history or will the England team led by Joe Root take back the Wisden Trophy from the visitors? The answers to these queries will be obtained when the live-action begins tomorrow at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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