West Indies vs England – 3rd Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is West Indies vs England taking place? Thursday, March 24th, 2022 – 14:00 (UK)
Where is West Indies vs England taking place? National Cricket Stadium, St. George’s, Grenada
What is the expected weather for West Indies vs England? 27-29c dry with sunny intervals over the course of all five days.
What channel is West Indies vs England on? The match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream West Indies vs England? The match can be streamed live via the BT Sport App
LAST MEETING
Match Drawn
THE TEAM NEWS
WEST INDIES
- West Indies once again managed to bat out a draw against England in the second Test, losing five wickets in the fourth innings as their opponents attempted to manufacture a result, leaving the series in the balance going into the third Test.
- Whilst it was Nkrumah Bonner who shone in the first Test, captain Kraigg Braithwaite was the standout performer with the bat for West Indies in the second Test, scoring 160 from 489 balls before following that up with 56 from 184 deliveries in the fourth innings.
- Yet again, the Windies have named an unchanged squad which they hope will maintain their record of having lost to England just once at home over the last 54 years.
ENGLAND
- England’s batting came to the party for the second consecutive Test, but the bowlers failed to take the 20 wickets required for victory on what was another lifeless pitch for the seamers.
- Joe Root racked up a second century of the series and he was joined in the hundred club by Ben Stokes, who hit 120 off 128 balls in a brutal but brilliant knocked, whilst spin-bowler Jack Leach put in a fantastic effort with the ball, taking 6 wickets across 94.5 overs bowled over the course of the second Test.
- As was the case in the last match, the tourists are expected to rotate their bowlers and could even opt for a second specialist spin-bowler in leggie Matt Parkinson should the pitch look in very much the same state as the ones prepared in both Antigua and Barbados.
THE PREDICTION
It’s difficult to predict the outcome of this third Test without a good look at the pitch in Grenada just before the start of play. A similar track to the ones curated in the previous two Test matches of the series, then a third consecutive draw has to be considered the favourite. However, a little more spice and England may sense a real opportunity of a series win. They have played well across the two Tests so far, their batters clicking as a unit led by the incredible Root, whilst Leach has shown that he can extract West Indian wickets. The hosts are not to be written off with the likes of Braithwaite having an excellent series himself, however England’s bowling attack looks more likely to take 20 wickets in this third Test based on what we have seen so far across the series. Therefore, consider backing an England victory, but refrain on making any moves until gaining a thorough assessment of the pitch at the National Cricket Stadium ahead of play.
