The England and West Indies dressing rooms in the aftermath of the second test would have been contrasting ones.
The English dressing room would have been full of beer-fueled triumph while the Windies one would have been ripe with dejection.
Ben Stokes' scintillating innings and Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad's performance with the ball gave England much to gloat about.
I was definitely very happy as I had written that England will bat first and score 400+, then West Indies will score 300 and ultimately England will win
Now the 3rd test is again at Old Trafford where England has lost only one test in the last 20 years.
This impeccable record induced the England and Wales Cricket Board to use Old Trafford as the host stadium for two Tests so that England can re-capture the Wisfen Trophy. It looks like that plan is working.
West Indies worries
Shannon Gabriel looked stiff. Kemar Roach is bowling at a speed of 78-82 miles/hour, a shadow of himself. Jason Holder is not able to put in his shoulder to create varied bounce. The net result is that West Indies' bowling was pedestrian in the second Test.
In batting every one has scored but no one is able to carry his innings for West Indies. Their batsmen are playing as if they are making 50+scores only to cement their place in side.
Only Roston Chase has shown the will to fight it out.
England's spirit
Dom Sibley scored a century in South Africa and now he is assured of his place courtesy his steady knock of 120.
Zak Crawley also hit a fluent 76 and Rory Burns is a certainty. So, he top order is assured and they will deliver in the third test for sure
They rested James Anderson and Jofra Archer ended up getting himself suspended due to flouting coronavirus safety standards. The silver lining is that both him and Anderson will be fully fit for the third Test.
Team Changes
West Indies
John Campbell should be dropped and Nkrumah Bonner should be brought in.
I feel Rahkeem Cornwall should be given a chance as he took seven wickets in his last Test and the Old Trafford pitch assists spinners.
Roach should be rested and Chemar Holder, a U19 team mate of Alzarri Joseph and a pacer with bounce should replace him. I saw him troubling everyone when West Indies won the U19 World Cup.
England
Sam Curran should be replaced by Anderson.
I will, however, not bring Archer or Mark Wood back.
I had written that Woakes and Broad move the ball and that will be effective against the middle order batsman because Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich and Shai Hope like to drive and this is detrimental against a moving ball.
Final Analysis
If same attack is kept than England will score around 500 in the first innings and win the match by huge margin.
If attack is changed then the toss matters.
West Indies can be in commanding position only if they bat first and make changes.
It appears that England is going to win the Wisden Trophy.
Stokes has been emulating Ian Botham and I feel that after the next series with Pakistan, he will eclipse Botham and other great English all-rounders.
Combine that with a captain innings from Joe Root and I can see England win this Test and lay hands on the Wisden Trophy.
Cover image credits: The Telegraph
