3 English talking points ahead of the third Test with West Indies
Published:
1) Does Stuart Broad’s batting warrant dropping?
Since being left with a broken nose by India’s Varun Aaron in last summer’s Old Trafford Test, Broad has looked far removed from the player that has a Lord’s century in the format to his name.
He is yet to score a run in two knocks in the Caribbean and with chatter about his bowling briefly allayed by the 4-61 he took in the West Indies’ first innings in Grenada, Broad could do with a score if only to breed confidence into his main discipline.
A drop in the batting order, at the very least, is needed.
2) The squad rotation quandary
England may rue their inability to get over the line in the first Test as they head to Bridgetown for the final assignment of the tour.
With a slim lead they will be tempted to keep the same side that rallied to an important win in docile conditions last time out. Do that and there will be five men in the touring party who have been denied any form of meaningful cricket.
The temptation, then, will be to give the likes of Adam Lyth, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood a run out here, allowing counterparts Jonathan Trott, Moeen Ali and Broad or Jimmy Anderson some vital rest ahead of an Ashes summer.
But will it come at the cost of the West Indies series?
3) Pushing for a result
Assuming England go for the same side and a similarly flat pitch to the two previously provided greets them, then the 9/4 about a draw becomes the bet of choice.
Taking the 20 wickets required to win the second Test in Granada took a Herculean effort and a repeat looks unlikely given the fixtures that lie ahead.
However tempting it will be to pour every ounce of energy into sealing a 2-0 series win, the fact remains that 1-0 will do just as well if all players emerge unscathed ahead of Australia’s visit.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets.
