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After a dominant performance in the first two games of the five-match T20I series against West Indies, touring party England are fully confident of extending their winning streak. The third T20I is scheduled to take place at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on November 14, and the visitors are focused on securing a win to claim the series.
England eyeing a whitewash
With victories in the first two encounters, England have positioned themselves strongly to clinch the series. However, the team is not just targeting a series win but is also eyeing a whitewash. The English players are determined to continue their dominant run and finish the series in style.
Jos Buttler’s return to form
Captain Jos Buttler has made a significant return to form, and his presence in the team has bolstered the side’s confidence. After a lean patch, Buttler was back to his best in the second game, scoring a brilliant 83 runs and earning the Player of the Match award. His knock not only led the team to victory but also showcased his leadership qualities, setting a perfect example for the team.
Strong contributions from batters and bowlers
Apart from Buttler, the performances of Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone have been pivotal in the team’s success. Both players have displayed excellent form with the bat, providing the necessary support to Buttler at crucial stages of the innings. With the ball, Saqib Mahmood and Dan Mousley stood out in the previous match, with both delivering key breakthroughs and restricting the West Indies from accelerating during their innings.
Also READ: Andre Russell out as West Indies announce squad for remaining 3 T20Is against England
England will be focusing on maintaining their winning combination for the third T20I and beyond. The team management is keen to ensure that their players are in top form and that they maintain the balance of their playing XI.
England’s top-choice playing XI for the final three T20Is against West Indies
Phil Salt (wk)
- Role: Opening Batter & Wicketkeeper
- Strength: Salt is an explosive batter known for his aggressive stroke play, particularly in the powerplay. His ability to attack early and build momentum for the team is his standout trait. As a wicketkeeper, Salt is sharp behind the stumps, often executing quick stumpings and taking crucial catches.
- Team’s Expectation: Salt is expected to provide a fast start with the bat, setting the tone for the innings in the first six overs. As a wicketkeeper, he must be quick to read the game and provide safe hands for the team, especially in the high-pressure moments of a T20I. The team counts on him to consistently give them a platform from the top of the order.
Will Jacks
- Role: Opening Batter
- Strength: Jacks brings power and flair to the opening slot, often taking the attack to the opposition bowlers. His ability to clear the boundary and play innovative shots makes him a dangerous presence in the top order.
- Team’s Expectation: Jacks is expected to play aggressively during the powerplay, capitalizing on the fielding restrictions. He needs to set a strong foundation for the middle order and should not be afraid to take calculated risks. His ability to accelerate early in the innings is vital for putting pressure on the opposition.
Jos Buttler (c)
- Role: Captain & Middle-order Batter
- Strength: Buttler is one of the best finishers in T20 cricket, known for his ability to take the game deep and hit big sixes. His leadership skills are exemplary, and his tactical awareness makes him a shrewd captain. Buttler is a versatile batter who can anchor the innings or accelerate as needed.
- Team’s Expectation: As captain, Buttler is expected to lead the team with calmness and clarity, making key decisions on the field. With the bat, he is expected to guide the middle order, providing stability while also taking on the bowlers in the death overs. His leadership will be key in setting the right fields and managing the bowlers effectively.
Liam Livingstone
- Role: Middle-order batter and all-rounder
- Strength: Livingstone is known for his explosive batting and ability to clear the boundary with ease. He can switch gears quickly and adapt to the situation, whether stabilizing the innings or accelerating in the final overs. With his handy leg-spin, he offers additional options with the ball.
- Team’s Expectation: Livingstone is expected to be a key finisher in the middle order, providing the necessary firepower in the death overs. His role as an all-rounder means he must also contribute with the ball, providing a few tight overs or breakthroughs during the middle overs. He’s expected to balance his role as a hitter and bowler, ensuring both departments are strengthened.
Jacob Bethell
- Role: All-rounder
- Strength: ethell is a versatile player with the ability to make an impact with both bat and ball. He can come in at any stage of the game to provide acceleration with the bat and can offer important breakthroughs with his left-arm spin.
- Team’s Expectation: Bethell’s all-round skills give the team flexibility. He is expected to contribute in both departments, coming in as a batter to finish the innings or rebuild if needed. With the ball, his role will be to provide key breakthroughs and maintain control during the middle overs. Bethell’s ability to adapt to different situations is crucial for the team’s success.
Sam Curran
- Role: All-rounder
- Strength: Curran is a valuable all-rounder who brings both pace and spin to the table. His bowling skills in the middle overs, especially his variations and ability to swing the ball, make him a potent force. With the bat, he is a reliable finisher capable of providing big hits at the end of the innings.
- Team’s Expectation: As an all-rounder, Curran is expected to contribute with the ball in key moments, especially during the middle overs and the death overs. He is expected to execute his variations well, providing wickets and restricting runs. With the bat, he must provide the finishing touches in the lower order, contributing to a strong finish to the innings.
Dan Mousley
- Role: Batter and handy bowler
- Strength: Mousley is a reliable middle-order batter who can anchor an innings and rotate strike efficiently. He also provides a useful part-time bowling option, offering an extra dimension to the team.
- Team’s Expectation: Mousley’s primary role is to ensure stability in the middle overs, building partnerships and playing anchor roles when required. He should rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking, giving the big hitters at the end the platform to accelerate. As a part-time bowler, his role will be to provide tight overs and potentially break partnerships if needed.
Jamie Overton
- Role: Fast bowler
- Strength: Overton is a tall, strong fast bowler who can generate bounce and pace. His ability to hit the deck hard and bowl at high speeds makes him a key asset in the powerplay and death overs.
- Team’s Expectation: Overton is expected to bowl the early overs with aggression, utilizing his pace and bounce to trouble the opposition’s top order. In the death overs, he must be at his best, executing yorkers and slower balls to contain the opposition and take crucial wickets.
Adil Rashid
- Role: Leg spinner
- Strength: Rashid is a world-class leg spinner, known for his ability to deceive batsmen with his variations and sharp turn. His wicket-taking ability in the middle overs is crucial, as he can break partnerships and build pressure.
- Team’s Expectation: Rashid is expected to bowl tight overs in the middle phase, building pressure and taking crucial wickets. His role is to break partnerships and keep the scoring rate under control, particularly when the opposition is looking to accelerate. His experience and skill in the middle overs are vital for the team’s bowling strategy.
Jofra Archer
- Role: Fast bowler
- Strength: Archer is one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket, known for his raw pace, bounce, and accuracy. His ability to bowl with pace and precision, especially in the death overs, makes him a critical weapon for the team.
- Team’s Expectation: Archer is expected to lead the pace attack, taking wickets early and keeping the opposition under pressure. His role will be to bowl in the powerplay, where he can attack the top order, and in the death overs, where he can control the game with his ability to bowl yorkers and variations. His performances with the ball will be key to the team’s success.
Saqib Mahmood
- Role: Fast bowler
- Strength: Mahmood is a consistent and skillful fast bowler who can bowl with pace and accuracy. He is especially effective in the powerplay, using the new ball to generate swing and set the tone for the bowling attack.
- Team’s Expectation: Mahmood is expected to provide key breakthroughs in the powerplay, bowling with pace and generating movement to dismiss the opposition’s top-order batsmen. His role will be to keep things tight during the initial overs and provide a strong foundation for the rest of the bowling attack.
