Head coach also suggests Jos Buttler and Dom Bess will be given further chances
George Dobell21-Jul-2020Chris Silverwood faces an intriguing test of his management style this week as England pick a side they hope can win the third Test against West Indies.In many ways Silverwood, the England coach, is in an enviable position. As things stand, he is expected to have six or seven seamers with a strong case for selection available to him.But the downside of such luxury is that he will have to deal with some very disappointed players. And in a few cases, these are players with limited experience of selection disappointment. With all involved destined to spend the next week in their bio-secure bubble at Emirates Old Trafford, that could require some careful diplomacy from Silverwood and his team.ALSO READ: Stokes is England’s man for all sessionsWhile there has been talk of planning for the future in recent times, Silverwood was clear that his aim this week was more immediate: he simply wants to pick a side that can win the final Test. A draw would see West Indies retain the Wisden Trophy. It would also leave England with just one victory from their last five Test series (excluding the one-off Test against Ireland).That means that there can be no couching the decisions made about selection: the attack picked for Friday will be the attack seen as the best England have right now. Those who miss out will know their place in the pecking order.”We’ve got to put out the strongest attack out that’s available to us,” Silverwood said. “It’s very difficult to keep everybody happy all the time. But if you do things for the right reason, I think there’s an understanding there. It’s about being very honest and open with what we are trying to do and why.”Everyone wants to play all the time and I’d probably be more disappointed if they didn’t. When you’re leaving out world-class players, from my point of view it’s a very good place for English cricket to be. It’s never easy and you’re always going to get pushback. But you try to be as honest as possible.”While Silverwood was not in a position to name the team at this stage, he did provide a couple of clues. For one thing, he described James Anderson as “a world-class bowler and the best we’ve got,” while he also confirmed Jofra Archer’s recent error of judgement would not be held against him. As a result, it would be a surprise if either missed out. And that, realistically, leaves England picking between Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Sam Curran for one spot.Broad’s spell with the second new ball on the fourth day of the second Test might put him in pole position. Broad claimed 3 for 1 in a vital burst that kept England in the match just as it appeared to be slipping away from them.Ultimately, the decision will not be made until the full squad return to training on Wednesday – those who played in the second Test were given Tuesday off – and the management are able to ascertain if any of the bowlers requires a break. Ed Smith, the national selector who left Manchester bubble early in the second Test, will also be consulted while Joe Root is likely to be given the final say.It may be relevant that Silverwood expects the pitch – a couple of strips up the square from the one used in recent days – to provide just a little more pace. As a result, there may be a temptation to include Wood, although he claimed only two wickets in Southampton, while Woakes and Broad claimed five and six respectively in Manchester. Curran claimed three, too, and has seen England win all eight of the home Tests in which he has played. All have strong cases for inclusion. It may also prove relevant that the forecast for the second day, in particular, is uncompromisingly grim.Silverwood also hinted that both Dom Bess and Jos Buttler would keep their places for this match. In the case of the latter, though, there was perhaps something in the manner in which Silverwood replied “at the moment” to the query as to whether Buttler was first choice that hinted this was an important game for him.”I thought Bessy got better and better as the game went on,” Silverwood said. “He found his rhythm and the last few overs he came to the forefront. All the options are on the table but Dom is the spinner that’s in possession at the moment.”Jos Buttler is bowled by Alzarri Joseph•Getty Images
While England have yet to confirm their plans, they are expected to allow their players to take a small break outside the bubble between this series and the start of the one against Pakistan. There would be various conditions attached, and Pakistan have confirmed they have no issues with such a plan. It might make sense if those players not utilised in this match were allowed to leave early and extend that break.Silverwood did also admit there would be some consideration about resting Ben Stokes, who had a particularly heavy workload in Manchester. Stokes faced more than 400 deliveries and bowled more than 20 overs – the first seam-bowling allrounder to do so since in Test cricket since Andrew Hall in 2004 – and actually pulled himself out of the attack midway through an over in West Indies’ second innings. He later suggested this was a precautionary reaction to stiffness and insisted he would be fine for Friday.In reality, England probably cannot do without Stokes at present. Even if he cannot bowl, there is an acceptance that he is more than worth selection as a specialist batsman. Of all the statistics to emerge after the second Test, including his rise to No. 3 in the Test batting rankings and No. 1 in the allrounder rankings, one was particularly revealing: after 65 Tests, Stokes has scored only 56 fewer runs than Jacques Kallis had at the same stage of his own career, while taking 20 more wickets.”We want him out there as much as we can; everyone can see how good he is,” Silverwood said. “But you know what, we’re going to consider rotating him. He’s been at the centre of the last couple of games and we’ve got to make sure he’s okay. But if he is fit and healthy, he’ll play.”Another allrounder achieved a memorable landmark in Manchester. Woakes reached the milestone of 100 wickets and 1000 runs in his 34th Test. That is quicker than Garry Sobers (48 Tests) Jason Holder (39 Tests) and Stokes (43 Tests). Woakes also has a lower bowling average in England than either Broad or Anderson.His figures at Old Trafford could have been even better, too, had England chosen to review an appeal for caught behind off Shamarh Brooks in the second innings that looked to have brushed the glove.The point of this? It’s hard to imagine one or two other members of this England squad not pushing a little harder for that review to be taken. Just as it’s hard to imagine Woakes going on TV midway through a Test to express his disappointment at missing out on selection. Maybe, at times, his good nature makes it just a little too easy to leave him out.