Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
ENG vs WI 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ENG vs WI 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs West Indies 2nd Test Preview Dream11 | ENG vs WI 2nd Test Key Players | Old Trafford Pitch Report
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What’s that saying again? Good things come to those who wait? In this case, it is most certainly true, as a captivating, thrilling first Test made a four-month wait feel worth it.
West Indies, in the words of skipper Jason Holder, put together “by far the best effort he’s seen from this group”. The discipline, maturity and patience they showed with bat and ball throughout the Test was such a refreshing change from the underachievement that has haunted them in the 21st century.
Now, they have the opportunity to win a Test series in England; a feat that no West Indian team has achieved since 1988 and no other side has achieved since Sri Lanka in 2014. All eyes will once again be on the action in England, as this Windies side looks to become part of history.
England welcome back Joe Root, who will undoubtedly be key as they look to bounce back. England’s decision making, poor conversion rate and poor fielding cost them dearly at Southampton, and with multiple changes expected to their XI in this game, England will be hoping this translates into a positive change on the field. One change, though, is the exclusion of Jofra Archer, who breached bio-security protocols.
Also read:
- England vs West Indies 1st Test talking points: West Indies superb, England get it wrong
- Twitter reactions from a thrilling end to the 1st England vs West Indies Test
- By far the best effort I’ve seen from this group – Jason Holder
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
- Joe Root is back for England and will certainly be welcomed with open arms. Root has the most runs of any current player at Old Trafford (595 at a superb average of 85.00).
- Kraigg Brathwaite had a good tour of England in 2017 (283 runs at 47.16), and started well in this series with a solid 65 at Southampton.
- Rory Burns (30 and 42) will be out to build on promising starts made at Southampton. So too Dom Sibley (50), who needs to be wary of his deliveries at his ribs. Also, Burns scored 81 at Old Trafford vs Australia in 2019.
- Zak Crawley showed some very promising signs at Southampton during his knock of 76.
- Shai Hope had an underwhelming first Test – a theme of his Test career over the past two years. However, it must be reminded that he was superb in England in 2017 (375 runs, avg. 75.00).
- A player who didn’t have an underwhelming first Test was Jermaine Blackwood. His second-innings 95 was superb, and will be out to build on it. Roston Chase (47, 37 & 2 wickets) and Shane Dowrich (61, 20 & six catches) also had solid outings.
- The battle between Ben Stokes and Jason Holder will make for great viewing once again. Stokes (43, 46 and six wickets) and Holder (6/42 & 14*) both had solid games at Southampton.
- Holder has taken 60 wickets at a remarkable average of 14.08 since the start of 2018. Stokes has 1,179 runs since the beginning of 2019 (avg. 47.16) and 36 wickets (avg. 29.61).
- But, the star man of the Test was man of the match Shannon Gabriel (9/137). Gabriel now has 35 wickets vs England at 26.17. Can his fast-bowling partner Kemar Roach deliver after an honest but wicketless display at Southampton?
- Stuart Broad at Old Trafford: Six Tests, 18 wickets, avg. 28.88. Chris Woakes in England: 19 Tests, 70 wickets, avg. 23.45.

Stats and Facts
- England’s loss to Australia last year at Old Trafford was their first loss at the ground since Pakistan’s 108-run win in 2001 (12 Tests).
- West Indies have won three of the past four Tests against England, including two successful run-chases in England (322 and 200).
- There have been some massive first-innings scores at Old Trafford in the past five Tests: 497/8d, 362, 589/8d, 152 and 527/7d. Usually a bat-first ground.
Possible Playing XIs
Joe Denly has been be dropped to make way for Joe Root. Stuart Broad, who was angry and frustrated, is back, with Mark Wood rested. James Anderson has also been rested, and Jofra Archer is out after breaching bio-security protocols. So, England’s attack is likely to be Broad-Woakes-Curran-Bess-Stokes, unless they wish to give a chance to Ollie Robinson.
England: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Dominic Sibley, 3. Zak Crawley, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Ollie Pope, 7. Jos Buttler (wk), 8. Sam Curran, 9. Chris Woakes, 10. Dominic Bess, 11. Stuart Broad
The only change West Indies could look to make is bringing in Rakheem Cornwall, likely for Alzarri Joseph. Also, it remains to be seen if John Campbell is good to go after copping a blow to the toe in the second innings of the first Test.
West Indies: 1. Kraigg Brathwaite, 2. John Campbell, 3. Shamarh Brooks, 4. Shai Hope, 5. Jermaine Blackwood, 6. Roston Chase, 7. Shane Dowrich (wk), 8. Jason Holder (c), 9. Rakheem Cornwall/Alzarri Joseph, 10. Kemar Roach, 11. Shannon Gabriel

Old Trafford Pitch Report and Conditions
The Old Trafford pitch is typically a quicker one than most grounds in England. It is certainly likely to be quicker than the one in Southampton, which puts England in a bit of a tricky spot as to the make up of their attack this time around. However, the surface is usually very good to bat on early in the Test, with an average first-innings score of 425.4 in the past five Tests, even with India’s 152-all out in 2014.
Also, there is a chance of some showers on days one and two, but hopefully not enough to impact the game too much.
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Match Prediction
The series is now beautifully poised. England entered as favourites, but now have a big fight on their hands to keep the series alive.
The return of Joe Root and home ground advantage makes England favourites again. They tend to have a slow start in a Test series, so history says they can bounce back. However, this one has the makings of another very close battle.
Thanks for reading!
Also read:
- England vs West Indies 1st Test talking points: West Indies superb, England get it very wrong
- Twitter reactions from a thrilling end to the 1st England vs West Indies Test
- By far the best effort I’ve seen from this group – Jason Holder