England unveil Playing XI for second West Indies Test

England have announced their Playing XI for the second Test match against the West Indies, scheduled to commence at Trent Bridge on Thursday, 18 July.

The hosts, who lead the three-match series 1-0, made one change to their Playing XI as Durham pacer Mark Wood replaced James Anderson, who concluded his decorated career on a winning note as England crushed West Indies by an innings and 114 runs in the first Test at Lord’s.

Wood, who has 108 international wickets to his name in the longest format, will pair up with in-form Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes to form England’s fast bowling unit, bolstered by their all-rounder captain Ben Stokes.

Youngster Shoaib Bashir will lead England’s spin bowling attack with Joe Root providing the cover.

England started their busy summer season on a high as Gus Atkinson’s heroics with the ball gave them a confidence-boosting victory.

The debutant pacer dismantled the West Indies batting lineup in the first innings with a seven-for. The touring side, as a result, only managed to register 121 runs on the board.

England batters banked on the momentum provided by Atkinson and scored 371 runs in response with Zak Crawley, debutant wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook scoring half-centuries.

Atkinson continued from where he left off and backed his seven-for with a five-wicket haul to steer England to a massive victory in the series opener.

England Playing XI for second West Indies Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c) Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir.

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