England Stick with Winning XI for Third Test as They Aim for West Indies Clean Sweep
England have named an unchanged squad for the third Test at Edgbaston as they seek to complete a clean sweep against the West Indies. Following a dominant performance in the second Test, Ben Stokes’s side will look to secure a 3-0 series victory.
Unchanged Squad: England’s emphatic 241-run victory in the second Test at Trent Bridge, secured their first series win since 2022. With the team in fine form and holding an unassailable 2-0 lead, Stokes has opted to retain the same XI that delivered such a commanding performance.
England captain Ben Stokes confirmed the decision, stating, “Well, 2-0 up, with very good all-round team performances so, yeah, it’s a pretty easy decision to stick with the same XI. And, yeah, we want to wrap up a series and hopefully take it 3-0.”
Key Performances: The second Test saw notable performances, including Mark Wood, who bowled at speeds exceeding 97 mph (156 km/h). Despite his impressive pace, Stokes indicated that Wood’s fitness would be monitored carefully, given his history of injuries.
Stokes emphasized that the team would not rotate the bowling attack for this Test, but hinted that changes might come naturally in future series. He noted, “Fast bowling is very hard. I think naturally we may see a change in the bowling line-up, but no, that’s not required yet.”
Stokes’s Contribution: Ben Stokes, having recovered from knee surgery, was able to contribute effectively as an all-rounder in the last match. Despite Wood not getting the wickets he deserved, his impact on the game was significant, creating pressure from one end while Shoaib Bashir took wickets at the other.
England’s Third Test Squad:
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (captain)
- Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
- Chris Woakes
- Gus Atkinson
- Mark Wood
- Shoaib Bashir
What’s Next: With a clean sweep within reach, England will focus on maintaining their momentum and finishing the series on a high note. The third Test at Edgbaston will be crucial for England to confirm their dominance over the West Indies.
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