By BV Swagath
After an interesting Test Match at Lord’s where England really had to work hard for a win, the action now shifts to Trent Bridge in Nottingham in the Investec Series. There is no doubt that England will be the favourites to win this Second Test at Trent Bridge as well given the fact that the West Indies have been consistently inconsistent in all the three departments in the last few years.
The Test Series is at stake for the West Indies with England having an unassailable lead of 1-0. England is likely to make one change by replacing Tim Bresnan with tall fast bowler Steven Finn. However, Bresnan has been a lucky charm for them. The fact is that every Test that Bresnan has played in his career, 12 so far have ended up being won by England.
West Indies will make atleast one change for sure because Shannon Gabriel, who made his Test Debut at Lord’s has flown back home with a back injury. His replacement Tino Best may not play in the Nottingham Test as the West Indies would ideally go for the match-winning Ravi Rampaul. West Indies missed the services of Ravi Rampaul in the opening Test at Lord’s as the fast bowler pulled out with a neck injury.
The tourists also made a tactical mistake by not including off-spinner Shane Shillingford in the Lord’s Test. Shillingford troubled the Australians a few days back and there is no reason why he can’t have some success against the Englishmen although conditions here would be a lot different from the Caribbean. Shillingford could come in the place of fast bowler Fidel Edwards.
England Squad for 2nd Test at Nottingham:
Andrew Strauss (Captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior (Wicket Keeper), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Graham Onions
West Indies Test Squad for England Tour:
Darren Sammy (Captain), Kirk Edwards, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Assad Fudadin, Shannon Gabriel, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Denesh Ramdin (Wicket Keeper), Ravi Rampaul, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford
