England vs West Indies: England Playing XI Announced For ENG vs WI 3rd Test

England have confidently named their playing XI a day before the commencement of the final Test in the three-match series against the West Indies. Their resounding victories in the first two Tests, where they triumphed by an innings and 114 runs at Lord's followed by a commanding 241-run win at Nottingham, have secured the series for the Three Lions. Now, they aim to complete a whitewash at Edgbaston, Birmingham, with the upcoming match set to begin on Friday, July 26. Sticking with the winning formula from the second Test, England have opted not to make any changes to their lineup. They remain steadfast in their strategy, backing the core team that delivered success in the previous encounters under the leadership of Kraigg Brathwaite.

The English team's confidence stems from their dominant performances, where they displayed both batting prowess and bowling prowess to dismantle the opposition. At Lord's, they showcased their strength by bowling out the West Indies cheaply and enforcing the follow-on. In Nottingham, their batting lineup posted substantial totals, supported by disciplined bowling that consistently took wickets at crucial junctures.

As they approach the final Test, England's focus is on maintaining their intensity and executing their game plan effectively. With the series already in their grasp, they are motivated to achieve a clean sweep, which would underscore their current form and dominance in the contest against the West Indies.

The upcoming Test holds lesser significance for the West Indies, who enter the match with a relaxed "nothing-to-lose" mindset. Having already conceded the series to England following consecutive defeats at Lord's and Nottingham, the Caribbean side now looks to play for pride and potential upward movement in the ICC World Test Championship standings. Currently positioned at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 cycle, the West Indies have won just one out of the six matches they've played. Despite the series outcome being decided, they aim to seize this opportunity to improve their ranking and gain momentum for future contests.

In contrast, England not only seeks to clinch the series but also aims to enhance their standing in the points table. Following their victory in the second Test, led by Ben Stokes and his team, England observed a positive shift in their position within the championship rankings. With the possibility of moving further up the ladder, the hosts are determined to consolidate their recent successes and maintain their competitive edge. As the final Test approaches, England remains focused on sustaining their performance levels and securing a comprehensive series victory. While the outcome won't alter the series result, it presents a crucial opportunity for both sides to assert their strengths and aspirations within the context of international Test cricket.

ENG vs WI 3rd Test: England Playing XI 

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes (C), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir. 

We've named our XI for the third Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston 👇

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 25, 2024