West Indies will look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the second Test of the three-match series against England, scheduled to be played from Thursday at Old Trafford in Manchester. The visitors won the first Test in Southampton by four wickets last week as international cricket resumed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
England captain Joe Root returns to action after missing the first match due to the birth of his second child. The hosts will hope the skipper’s presence inspires the team to level the series, giving them the opportunity to register a comeback.
However, with the rousing win in Southampton, the West Indies are determined to win their first series in England in 32 years.
Joe Denly is most likely to be removed from the team to make way for Root. Denly was out cheaply in both innings, scoring just 18 and 29 respectively, of the first Test. Former players also suggested that Denly be dropped instead of Zak Crawley, who scored 76 in the second innings.
“We’re all desperate to see Joe do really well. But obviously he’s under pressure a little bit,” England coach Chris Silverwood said.
“Zak is improving constantly. I think he certainly showed maturity and the innings he played was very good.”
Meanwhile, a draw or win in the first of back-to-back Tests in Manchester can guarantee the West Indies retains the Wisden Trophy after beating England in a Test series at home last year.
“I haven’t mentioned anything about history to the guys,” West Indies captain Jason Holder said. “It’s hard for us to get caught up in the peripheral stuff.”
“Winning the first Test match is just one piece of the puzzle. We’ve got two other games to play and we don’t get ahead of ourselves.”
Holder took a Test-best 6-42 in England’s lowly 204 at Southampton as Shannon Gabriel and Jermaine Blackwood guided the team to victory.
The Test series is being played behind closed doors without the presence of spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
