ENG vs WI: Ben Stokes reveals reason behind same XI, talks about changes in pace department in future Tests

England named an unchanged playing XI for the third Test against West Indies at Edgbaston. The Three Lions are leading 2-0 in the three-match series and could’ve given opportunity to other youngsters in the squad but the team management decided against it.

Speaking about the decision, England captain Ben Stokes stated that it was an easy call and revealed that the other pacers in the team will be getting more opportunities in the remaining Tests in the summer. Dillon Pennington was the favourite to make it into the playing XI but the team is stacked with Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood. Ahead of the series, Stokes called for a pace revolution.

It is arguably for the same reason, that Atkinson and Wood are likely to get an extended run in the team, keeping Ashes 2025 in mind. On the other hand, Woakes is viewed as James Anderson’s replacement, which is why the all-rounder seems undroppable at the moment.

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Fast bowling is hard, so naturally, we will see changes in the bowling line-up: Stokes

Matthew Potts is another cricketer who failed to break into the squad during the West Indies series. Stokes stated that Test cricket is hard for the pacers and the duo will be seen playing in the summer despite England having a relatively easy calendar.

“Two-nil up and very good all-round team performances, pretty easy decision to stick with the same 11 and want to wrap up the series and hopefully take it 3-0. That (Pennington’s inclusion) will come naturally with six Test matches, even though we have a decent break; fast bowling is hard, so naturally, we will see changes in the bowling line-up,” Stokes was quoted as saying by Eurosport.

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“It is tough not to play, but for Potts and Dillon, it’s great for them to be in the squad. It’s tough, but they work incredibly hard, so if the opportunity comes around for either of them, they will be ready to go. We’ve stuck with the same team for the first three games because we don’t feel a necessary opportunity to change. Though he (Pennington) hasn’t got the opportunity, we know how hard he works out in the middle, there’s no doubt an opportunity will come for him, and he’ll be ready to go,” he added.