ICC World Cup 2019 | England's predicted XI for the game against West Indies
After stumbling against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, England came back in some style dismantling Bangladesh to secure a 106-run win. With rains expected to have a say in this game as well, England’s brand of attacking cricket might actually help them out if the game time is reduced.
Openers
Jason Roy : Pre-tournament all eyes were on Roy considering the Hales situation and the former has delivered. He started off with a 54 against South Africa before almost trebling that number against Bangladesh. An injury is the only thing that can result in him not playing every game in the Cup.
Jonny Bairstow : While we haven’t seen the best of Bairstow so far in the World Cup, his fifty against Bangladesh, which accounted for a 134 run opening partnership, has quashed any concerns that the English fans might have had. It will be interesting to see how he does against the opening bowlers that the Windies possess.
Middle-order
Joe Root : Root has just been doing Root things - scoring runs at a decent rate while others around him wreak havoc. That has helped him accumulate 179 in just three games and something tells me this is just the start of an incredible World Cup for the English Test skipper.
Eoin Morgan : Even though he has a half-century in the tournament already, we haven’t seen the best of Morgan. With Root firing on all cylinders, the onus of accelerating usually falls on the skipper, who usually needs some time to get going. This was the main reason why he decided to promote Buttler above him in the last game.
Jos Buttler : After Root and Roy had guided the team past 200 runs in just over 30 overs, Morgan decided to send in the English sensation to have a go at Bangladesh. And have a go he did with a quickfire 64 off just 44 balls. No team has been able to figure out a way to stop him so far and the best that they can do is pray to God that the rains don’t allow him to take the pitch.
All-rounders
Ben Stokes : Another player who hasn’t had too much to do in a team that is laden with talent in every position. But I would not bet against him turning on the style against the Windies and in particular Carlos Brathwaite. This will be the first time the two will take the pitch in an ICC event after THAT final over at Eden Gardens more than three years ago.
Chris Woakes : England’s top order has, more or less, delivered in the three games so far which has meant that Woakes has just been used as a pinch hitter at the end of the innings. In the other innings, though, his performance has not been too consistent and he has leaked runs aplenty. Needs to stem the bleeding or we might see Ali make a comeback into the XI next week.
Pacers
Liam Plunkett : Plunkett should give a Ted Talk on how to grab an opportunity with both hands. After Mark Wood was picked ahead of Plunkett, who had a decent first game, for the second match, the latter replaced Ali for the Bangladesh game. Following a rapid 27 off nine balls, he returned with figures of 1/36 with the ball to cap an all-round performance.
Jofra Archer : Despite having played this particular brand of cricket for a while, the World Cup might finally be delivered due to this one decision - signing up Jofra Archer. He is bowling with the aggression and pace that would rival any of the former greats that have graced the game. England just have to ensure that they keep him fit for all their games and they will have a fighting chance.
Mark Wood : His comeback to the team seems to have added even more threat to this menacing side. Pace, accuracy and wickets - it’s all there. What will be interesting though is if Morgan decides to throw him the new ball to see what he can get out of it. However, in what would be overcast conditions at The Rose Bowl, Woakes will most likely keep his spot.
Spinner
Adil Rashid : Even though Moeen Ali has outperformed Adil Rashid in the Cup so far and the conditions in Southampton would be more suitable to an off-spinner, we know Rashid will still get the nod. However, a couple of bad games and Morgan will have a big decision on his hands.
