England named their playing XI a couple of days before the start of the second Test of the three-match series against the West Indies. After registering a comprehensive win by an innings and 114 runs in the first Test at Lord’s, the Three Lions will look to seal the series at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in the second Test, which gets underway on Thursday, July 18.
The legendary James Anderson was the cynosure in the first Test as it was his last appearance in international cricket. He received a memorable farewell as fans turned up in numbers to acknowledge his surreal contributions to England Cricket. He picked up a solitary wicket in the first innings before bagging three in the second.
Also Read: ‘He was forced out’ – David Lloyd lambasts England team management for mishandling James Anderson’s retirement
The 41-year-old has been replaced by Durham speedster Mark Wood for the second Test. The rest of the lineup remains the same.
Can West Indies bounce back from the Lord’s annihilation?
The Caribbean skipper, Kraigg Brathwaite, has his task cut out as he has to motivate his troops to blow away the air of despondency that must have crept into the camp after the drubbing at Lord’s.
The tourists don’t have to look too far behind as they can take inspiration from their epic win in Brisbane earlier this year against the mighty Australians. After losing the first Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets, Braithwaite and Co. mustered a spirited fightback as they defeated the reigning World Test Champions by eight runs.
England, on the other hand, will not only bag the series with a win in the second Test but also move up from the foot of the World Test Championship table for the 2023-2025 cycle.
England Playing XI for 2nd Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir
Get every cricket updates! Follow Us:
