Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

West Indies vs England 2nd Test Preview Dream11

Wow. How about this series now? What can we look forward to in Antigua, after one of the most incredible performances from a West Indies side in recent memory? With “total cricket” admittedly slightly more longer lived than Keaton Jennings this series, can England somehow bounce back after an annihilation that few were expecting?

It was indeed a blast from the past from West Indies in Barbados. The fantastic team effort meant that everywhere you looked, there were magnificent efforts to sway the game in their favour. Remember Shimron Hetmyer’s brisk 81 in the first innings? What about Kemar Roach’s unbelievable spell of 5/4 in 21 balls to effectively leave England on the mat? And, of course, no one can forget the third biggest seventh wicket partnership in Test history between Jason Holder and Shane Dowrich that delivered the knockout punch. Can Jason Holder, the top allrounder in the world, get his team to instigate more pain for the opposition?

England’s team selection in Barbados was questionable, and their performance atrocious. Hopes and expectations of a rise to the number one Test ranking were nipped in the bud handsomely in Barbados, strongly reminding England of their shortcomings as a Test side. As the below from CricIndeed shows, only one of their top seven batsmen have averaged 40 since the beginning of 2018, highlighting the need for more substantial Test knocks. Keaton Jennings has been dropped, Moeen Ali’s position is in strife, and with the Windies bowling attack now a challenging prospect for touring sides, England have to find a way to keep their hopes alive for a first series win on these shores since 2004.

Key to a West Indies win

It was the near perfect performance from the Windies in Barbados. It would be unfair to highlight faults in such a dominant win, but if the Windies want to capture this series, the top order has a responsibility to convert starts into big ones. Stuart Broad returns after controversially left out of England’s side for the first Test, and with he and Anderson combining for over 1,000 wickets in Test cricket, the Windies’ top order will have to be on their game. Can Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell build on their fighting efforts from the first Test? What about Shai Hope as he looks to continue his fine record against England? With the middle order in mighty dangerous form, a strong platform from the top order will hold the Windies in good stead. Because, why would England want to see the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Jason Holder walk out with good runs on the board?

Also, can the Windies bowlers continue on their brilliance from the Barbados Test? England will be sure to know what to expect this time, which can increase the challenge for the Windies in backing up their magnificent effort from the first Test. Kemar Roach will be key as he was in Barbados, possessing the ability to pick up wickets with the new ball, as well as Shannon Gabriel who consistently asks questions. With Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph also asking questions, the Windies will be looking to get a shot at England’s middle order as soon as possible, and perhaps reopen the wounds from last week. Can they get the ball moving and cause England all sorts of problems?

Key to an England win

Joe Denly is set to make his Test debut, and faces a challenging task right away. He and Rory Burns will be key in seeing off the Windies’ new ball challenge to get England off and running. However, with England’s batsmen in general down on big knocks over the past year or so, the onus is also on the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler to enable a strong England first innings total that can help set the game up. Skipper Root, whose Test average has fallen below 50 for the first time 2014, will be particularly key in getting England back in the series. Can he fire and enable others to bat around him?

Also, there is no doubt that England’s bowling selections were a disgrace in Barbados. Jack Leach was superb in Sri Lanka, building pressure through excellent Test match bowling, and was left out for the wasteful Adil Rashid. With Leach set to return, he will be key again in building pressure off the back of what England hope will be a clinic from the seamers. James Anderson and Stuart Broad are set to reunite, and both will be key in finding movement and challenge the Windies’ top order. With Ben Stokes and Sam Curran (if picked) as the support bowlers, Root will be hoping that if he gets Jason Holder in relatively early again, his side will be able to go on with the job. It’s all on the line now for England if they want to win the series.

Possible Playing 11

Shane Dowrich is set to play after a niggle in the first Test. The same applies for Shannon Gabriel. The Windies are likely to go in with the same XI.

West Indies Possible Playing 11: 1. Kraigg Brathwaite, 2. John Campbell, 3. Shai Hope, 4. Darren Bravo, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Roston Chase, 7. Shane Dowrich (wk), 8. Jason Holder (c), 9. Joseph Alzarri, 10. Kemar Roach, 11. Shannon Gabriel

England will be making changes. As mentioned, Keaton Jennings has been dropped, along with Adil Rashid. Moeen Ali is also a chance of missing out after an awful pair in the first Test.

England Possible Playing 11: 1. Joe Denly, 2. Rory Burns, 3. Jonny Bairstow, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler, 7. Ben Foakes (wk), 8. Sam Curran, 9. Stuart Broad, 10. Jack Leach, 11. James Anderson

Pitch and Conditions

Conditions are expected to be good for the Test. In terms of the pitch, it is expected to have a little grass cover, but will be relatively dry.

Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

• Jason Holder is the first West Indian to be top ranked allrounder since Sir Garfield Sobers.
• England need to win this Test to keep their hopes alive of a second series win in the Caribbean since 1968 (and first since 2004).
• James Anderson and Stuart Broad are the third bowling pair in Test history to have a combined 1,000 Test wickets when playing together.

Match Prediction

This could depend on the toss.

So, who is more likely to win if they lose it? With the Windies full of confidence, I will predict them to take the series in Antigua.

Thanks for reading!

West Indies vs England 2nd Test Preview Dream11