Joe Root declaration freed West Indies from restraint of having to defend


England captain went for the win in second Test but played into West Indies’ hands while displaying an overreliance on Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson

“Same squad, different performance” is the message from the selectors after England’s startling defeat at Headingley. With surprising speed they announced the same 13 names in their squad for the decisive Lord’s Test against West Indies, which starts next Thursday. The most relieved man will be Tom Westley, who failed twice in Leeds, an outcome that inevitably reduces his chances of making the squad for Australia.

The Lord’s Test has everyone salivating after West Indies’ brilliant five‑wicket triumph, which leaves the series level at 1-1. Indeed within 24 hours Test cricket around the world has been given a welcome boost by dramatic wins for West Indies and for Bangladesh over Australia in Dhaka. Of these, West Indies’ victory at Headingley was the most unexpected.

Related: Joe Root defends ‘positive’ decision to declare after West Indies win Test

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