The ongoing Test series between England and West Indies which marked the return of international cricket after the forced corona break is all geared up for an exciting finish as both teams head to the Old Trafford in Manchester for the final Test. While Windies dominated the first Test, England bounced back in the second Test leveling the Wisden series at 1-1.
Even though the series is in line England is expected to rotate their fast bowlers as they did after the first Test so as to give them enough recovery time keeping in mind the Pakistan series later this month. As far as the batting department is concerned, the only worry for England is regarding the form of wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler. He had a poor show with the bat in both the matches along with a poor string of performances over the last few series. Ben Foakes who is named among the reserves was expected to break into the team as a replacement for Buttler but as of now, Buttler can relax as ECB has not included Foakes among the 14 men probable squad for the 3rd Test.
In the much talked about fast bowling department young sensation Jofra Archer, who missed the second Test after breaking the COVID protocols, was expected to replace Sam Curran. but as per the latest developments Archer has claimed that he was racially abused after failing the COVID protocols and won’t return to the side if he is not 100 percent mentally fit. Chris Woakes who had a decent outing in the second Test may play ahead of Archer, only if Archer is 100 percent mentally fit.
Veteran James Anderson is also expected to make a return to the eleven considering his outstanding record in the Old Trafford. Whereas Stuart Broad who silenced his critics with his performance after getting dropped for the first Test is expected to keep his place.
England will once again depend heavily on the current form of star all-rounder Ben Stokes to clinch the Wisden Trophy.
England Predicted XI
Watch: Dom Bess rips through Jason Holder’s defence
Windies team under Jason Holder will be looking to create history as they step into the Old Trafford ahead of the third Test. Holder and co. will be aware of the fact that the last time West Indies won a Test series in England was back in 1988, and this is the closest any of the West Indies team since then has reached.
But one thing that will be worrying the Windies will be their batting department. Except for a few notable names, Windies batsman didn’t find themselves in great knick in the second Test. They looked rusty in the bowling and fielding departments as well. This dip in performance after an outstanding performance in Ageas Bowl will be worrying Holder and Phil Simmons.
As far as the batting department is considered, opener John Campbell who failed in the first two Tests is expected to make way for debutant Joshua De Silva, who impressed with a century in the second intra-squad warm-up match. Wicket Keeper Dowrich who scored a pair of ducks in the second Test may get the ax, and all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall may replace him in the middle-order, with Joshua De Silva keeping the wickets.
West Indies Predicted XI
Watch: Kemar Roach uproots Zak Crawley’s middle stump
Pitch and Weather details
Over the years Manchester has been a fortress for England. Since 2000 they have won 10 of their 15 Tests in this venue. Only Australia in last summer’s Ashes and Pakistan in 2001 have defeated them at Old Trafford in the last 20 years.
The pitch in Old Trafford is expected to favour the fast bowlers as usual, with a little bit of help for the spinners on the last day.
With respect to the weather, showers are expected on both Saturday and Sunday and again on the final day on Tuesday. Possibility of a few hours or even a day of play being rained out is large.
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