Senior England fast bowler Stuart Broad is unlikely to find a place in the playing XI against the West Indies in the first Test cricket match starting on Wednesday. England's team management is seriously considering fast bowler Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in the playing eleven along with James Anderson.
According to the report, 'Broad may have to be ruled out of the home Test for the first time in eight years as the team management is seriously considering giving a quick chance to the fast bowling duo of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Let us tell you that Wood and Archer were suffering from injuries, but now they see fit. Wood, who was injured during the South African tour of England, is now set to play.
The report states, 'With no spare batsman in this final group for Wednesday and one spinner, Dom Bess, it leaves the make-up of the seam attack as the only issue still to be debated by Chris Silverwood, the head coach, and Ben Stokes, his stand-in captain.'
Even Chris Woakes, who has done well in the practice match, is unlikely to get a chance.
Head coach Silverwood and stand-in captain Stokes, however, may prefer Wood, who bowls at 90 mph. England have to play six consecutive Test matches against the West Indies and Pakistan. In such a situation, they can adopt a rotation policy to keep the fast bowlers fresh.
Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
