Match Preview: England vs West Indies - Barbados Test Preview
The West Indies will take on England in Barbados on March 16, 2022, with the hosts announcing an unchanged squad after a gritty draw in the series opener in Antigua. In comparison, England will enter the second Test without their pacer Mark Wood.
Image credit: PA Images Ollie Robinson has stepped up his recovery from injuryHard earned-draw in Antigua
On the final day of the first Test, the West Indies lost four wickets for nine runs at one stage. Jason Holder and Nkrumah Binner stitched 80 runs for the fifth wicket and batted for more than 35 overs. They ensured that the visitors didn't destroy their batting order and took the match towards a draw.
"It was a hard-fought first match in Antigua, and we decided to stick with the same 13 players for the second match in Barbados," the chief selector Desmond Haynes was quoted as saying by ICC.
West Indies coach Phil Simmons said, "I'm hoping for a little more in the wicket [in Barbados] as it'll make for a better Test match. I used to be a batter, but you can't let batters have it easy all the time, and it's hard for bowlers on wickets like these. You need an even surface and let's compete."
England’s aggressive approach
In contrast to the summer, when England were criticised for defensive play against New Zealand at Lords, England's final day declaration in Antigua highlighted the team's new, more attacking philosophy.
"I'm really proud of the team," captain Joe Root said. "I thought the attitude throughout the whole week was just fantastic. We threw everything into the game and, to be in the position we were [at 48 for 4] after that first hour, to respond as we have done since it's been a really pleasing performance on what turned out to be a very docile wicket, which didn't offer a huge amount for anyone."
With Mark Wood ruled out of the Test after complaining of severe pain in the right elbow on the final day of the first Test, England will hope to have him replaced with Ollie Robinson, who is recovering well from his injury.
The Barbados Test
The Barbados pitch generally favours the bowlers rather than the batsmen. Batting second is generally more difficult here.
Players to watch this Test match would be England skipper Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ollie Robinson, Jason Holder and Nkrumah Bonner.
West Indies probable XI
Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales
England probable XI
Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes
After the second Test at Barbados' Kensington Oval concludes on March 20, the final match will be held in Grenada from March 24-28.