England vs West Indies 3rd Test: 5 things to watch out for in the Wisden Trophy decider

England and West Indies lock horns in the 3rd and final Test of the Wisden Trophy, starting on July 24. After West Indies pulled off a historic win the series opener, England, led by Ben Stokes, staged a remarkable comeback in the 2nd Test to level the score.

In the 3rd Test at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, a lot is at stake in the first ever international series post the pandemic-enforced break. Captain Joe Root will be looking to get back among the runs, while for many England players like Jos Buttler and Ollie Pope, the game might be their last chance to stake a claim for a regular spot in the XI for the upcoming series against Pakistan.

For West Indies, on the other hand, captain Jason Holder, who has recently been usurped from the position of No. 1 Test all-rounder, will be looking to lead his team to another famous win against England overseas.

Here are 5 things to watch out for in the decider of the Wisden Trophy.

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#5 Could we see either team field 2 spinners for the first time?

Rahkeem Cornwall could add some extra balance to the West Indies lineup

After the 1st Test was played at Southampton, the venue shifted to Manchester for the 2nd and 3rd Tests. While the conditions have assisted pacers so far, the spinners for both teams - Dom Bess and Roston Chase - have played very important roles as well.

Bess has been accurate, and has picked up crucial wickets at regular intervals. The off-spinner produced a jaffa to get rid of Holder in the final session of the 2nd Test and even contributed some handy runs with the bat in the 1st. Chase scalped a 5-wicket haul in the 1st innings of the 2nd Test and was a shining light in an otherwise insipid Windies bowling attack.

The pitch could show some deterioration given that consecutive Test matches are being played at the venue, and the intermittent rains could have slowed the surface down further. Both teams could consider playing the extra spinner, who could be vital towards the end of the match.

Big Rahkeem Cornwall is waiting in the wings for West Indies, while Ashes hero Jack Leach can be called upon by England.

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#4 Changes in team composition seem inevitable for West Indies

Coach Phil Simmons has hinted at changes for the 3rd Test

The 2nd Test found West Indies wanting in more departments than one. The pacers - Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, and Alzarri Joseph - were ineffective throughout the match, with the latter two, in particular, not in great form of late.

Raymon Reifer could play in the XI owing to the variety he would bring to the attack, given that he is a left-armer. The young Chemar Holder is seen to be one for the future, but his time to shine might have already come.

The batting, which was supposed to be led by Shai Hope, has flattered to deceive with various footwork issues plaguing all of them. West Indies coach Phil Simmons hinted after the game that we might see changes in the batting lineup, and many former cricketers have claimed that Hope should be given a rest with the bigger picture in mind.

Keeper Shane Dowrich bagged a pair in the 2nd Test, but should retain his place in the side given his useful contributions with the bat in the recent past and the fact that his replacement is Hope himself.

Irrespective, we should see changes in the West Indies lineup, and those players who are incorporated into the side must be at the top of their game against a confident England side.

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#3 Will James Anderson make it into the XI if he returns?

James Anderson is expected to return for the series decider

England's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, James Anderson, was rested for the previous game after a largely average performance in the 1st Test. The pacer has struggled with injuries in the recent past but given his week of rest, he is expected to make a return to the England squad for the series decider.

But does Anderson walk into the side? His partner-in-crime Stuart Broad picked up 5 wickets after sitting out the 1st Test and looked threatening whenever he came on to bowl, especially with the West Indies batsmen susceptible to the in-swinger.

Chris Woakes, who was a late addition to the XI, also scalped 6 wickets and offers a similar threat as Anderson does with the new ball. Moreover, Woakes is handy with the bat in hand as well as in the field. Sam Curran is cut from the same cloth, and has never been on the losing side of a Test match at home.

Anderson could well find himself out of the XI despite his stature, just like a certain pacer of Barbadian descent.....

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#2 What's going on with Jofra Archer?

Jofra Archer lashed out at his critics in a column recently

England pacer Jofra Archer hasn't had a great two weeks. A Twitter feud with former West Indian pacer Tino Best coincided with a toothless bowling display in the Southampton Test, before Archer broke bio-secure protocols on his way to Manchester, resulting in a fine and a formal warning.

Recently, in a Daily Mail column, Archer lamented the fact that he is always in the spotlight, claiming that he "cannot sneeze without it being news". He also alleged racial abuse in the wake of his poor decision to head home on his way to Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old revealed that he is unsure of playing in the 3rd Test, although Ben Stokes and Joe Root have openly stated that England need him. Even ECB Managing Director Ashley Giles threw his weight behind the under-fire fast bowler.

Archer says that he might not be in the right frame of mind to play the Test and it remains to be seen if he features in the Wisden Trophy decider.

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#1 Can Ben Stokes endure his current workload?

Ben Stokes was the Man of the Match in the 2nd Test

When Ben Stokes was announced as the captain for the 1st Test, pundits called it a foolish decision because there simply isn't anyone who does more on the cricket ground than him.

And in the 2nd Test, he proved just why. After a 356-ball vigil in the first innings and an attacking cameo in the second, Stokes bowled his heart out in an aggressive spell of short-pitched bowling. This is apart from the concentration that is required to field in the slips for two whole innings.

England coach Chris Silverwood claimed that the team is going to consider rotating the all-rounder, but with the series on the line, the decision to drop him will be a very controversial one. With the batting lineup inexperienced and the bowling attack not settled, the Three Lions need Stokes more than they ever have.

The Durham man felt some stiffness towards the end of his marathon effort in the 2nd Test, and understandably so. Ben Stokes will probably play the 3rd Test, but can he take the massive workload he has been put under?

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