ENG vs WI: West Indies Playing XI Announced For 2nd Test. Check Details

England and the West Indies are gearing up for the next chapter of their ongoing Test series, scheduled to commence on Thursday, July 18, at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Following a decisive victory for England in the first Test, all eyes are on the visiting West Indies team as they prepare for redemption in the second encounter. In a move that surprised many fans, the West Indies have opted to maintain continuity by announcing an unchanged playing XI for the upcoming match. Leading the squad once more will be Kraigg Brathwaite, who shoulders the responsibility of steering his team towards a comeback after their disappointing performance in the previous Test. Additionally, the availability of Shamarh Brooks, who had sustained an injury during the first Test, adds depth to their lineup.

The decision to stick with the same XI reflects the West Indies' confidence in their players' abilities to bounce back and rectify their earlier shortcomings. With no changes expected in their strategy or personnel, the team under Brathwaite's captaincy aims to deliver a more resilient performance against the formidable English side.

Following a disappointing display in the Lord's Test, where the West Indies posted scores of 121 and 136, Kraigg Brathwaite highlighted the straightforward nature of their required improvement: batting to their fullest potential. Despite finding some positives in their batting efforts, Brathwaite acknowledged that these were insufficient to secure a victory in a Test match. Brathwaite's assessment underscores the team's need to significantly enhance their batting performance to compete effectively against their opponents. While there were glimpses of promise in their innings, particularly from certain players, the overall team effort fell short of what was necessary to challenge England's dominance in the match.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Test at Trent Bridge, Brathwaite and his team understand the urgency of elevating their collective batting prowess. The captain's straightforward approach suggests a focus on fundamental improvements in technique, resilience, and application during their time at the crease. As they prepare for the second Test, the West Indies will aim to translate their captain's directive into a cohesive batting performance that not only restores confidence but also positions them competitively against a formidable English side.

"It's pretty simple what we've got to do. We've got to bat a lot better. Obviously we've got to find a way, which we've had some discussions around different things we can do better as a team. There are still a bit of positives with the bat. With the ball, as I said before, [England scored] 50-60 runs too many but it was a positive to get ten wickets. But with the bat, we've just got to put runs on the board. It's simple," said West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite. 

West Indies Playing XI for 2nd Test against England

Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva (WK), Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Kirk Mckenzie, Gudakesh Motie, and Jayden Seales.

🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
An unchanged playing XI will face England in the 2nd Test at Trent Bridge.#ENGvWI | #MenInMaroon | #Apex pic.twitter.com/cQK8tDVgK0

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) July 17, 2024