WI v ENG 2019: Joe Root aiming to avoid Caribbean whitewash with a shuffled Playing XI

Keaton Jennings recalled for the final Test against West Indies.

England aiming to avoid whitewash in West Indies | Getty Images

In a bid to avoid Test whitewash in the West Indies, England have made plenty of changes in their playing XI for the third and final Test to be played at St. Lucia on Saturday, 9 February.

England has dropped wicketkeeper Ben Foakes and recalled Keaton Jennings with Jonny Bairstow taking the gloves and Joe Denly batting at three in a bid to take some pride to the UK, as the tourists are badly seeking a win at St. Lucia against the upbeat Caribbean.

However, the hosts have secured the three-Test series 2-0, but England skipper Joe Root believing that his team still had much at stake in St Lucia, especially with the Ashes 2019 fast approaching.

Root told BBC, “There is plenty to play for in this game especially off the back of our two previous performances. There is an Ashes around the corner and it is an opportunity for those guys to show how good they are and put their hand up and put in some proper performances.”

He continued, “We came away this winter trying to do things differently and find ways of winning away from home. We had great success in Sri Lanka [where England won 3-0] and it's not quite materialized here. Whether that be down to selection or how poorly we've played in parts, you have to see it for what it is and how you can best move that forward.”

Meanwhile, Root would be certainly looking for big runs from his all batsmen in St Lucia after their critical show in Antigua. The skipper further added on the same, “It's very easy to spend loads of time on individual aspects [of batting] but you have to be very honest with yourself and where you can get better. I think a lot of it comes down to a mental approach individually with the bat and I think that clarity coming into this game is really important.”

Further, Mark Wood has also been named in the 12-man squad for the final Test against the Windies and he is expected to replace Sam Curran to provide a boost of pace and energy at St. Lucia, and Root said: “He has gone away with the Lions, performed and worked his way back in the squad and he looks in great rhythm. He is bowling with good pace and he has developed his game as well.”

He signed off by saying, “That is exactly what you want from guys when they have been left out, to come back better players. He has not taken the wickets he would have liked when he has had previous opportunities but look at him now and he couldn't be in a better place to go on and do something really good.”

England squad for the final Test against West Indies:

Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Keaton Jennings. Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Mark Wood

(With BBC Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 09 Feb, 2019

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