by Abhai Sawkar The second Test saw England bounce back from an early defeat and score a win on the final day against the West Indies. A stoic effort with the bat in the first innings followed up with decisive bowling propped up the hosts early in the game. After a quickfire second innings, England were in the driver’s seat. Ben Stokes put together an all-round masterclass, and Dom Sibley’s first-innings century laid the platform for more attacking cricket in the later phase of the Test match. Stuart Broad was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets apiece in both innings. The Windies battled hard for much of Day 5, but a lower-middle order collapse sealed the game for England. But they had their positives, with Shamarh Brooks scoring two well-compiled half centuries and excellent returns for the offspinning allrounder, Roston Chase. With that being said, today’s guest is a passionate England and fellow Essex fan, none other than Tony Gaylor. AS: First things first, welcome to the Fireside Chats. Well done to England, and let’s start off with a short critique on how they fared overall in the last game. Who do you feel did the best, and who will be under the spotlight next game? TG: I feel it was a really good performance. I would have liked them to have gone a little quicker in the first innings. I was encouraged by Buttler in that first innings, personally I think he’s starting to look more comfortable. I think he gets unfair criticism because he’s fantastic in the shorter formats but this summer, so far it’s only been 2 tests I know, but he’s looked much more assured. I’m quietly confident that he’ll click in the next series against Pakistan. Next Test I would definitely like to see some more runs from Pope. Over to the bowling, I was impressed, and captaincy from Joe Root was effective as always. AS: Looking at the top order, I think Zak Crawley might be under more scrutiny given that he hasn’t been able to convert starts, plus he did flop last game as well. What’s your opinion on where he stands at the moment and do you feel he’s good enough for the demands of Test cricket at his point in time? TG: I'm a fan of his temperament and I think his personality will help him in international cricket. I feel he will either eventually drop out for the very talented Dan Lawrence or even move up one position and compete with Burns. He deserves to have the whole summer to try and establish himself. His age gives him more appeal than let’s say - Denly or Vince. Vince in my opinion, should still be England’s number 3, we haven’t had anyone that good since him. AS: That’s pretty fair analysis. It’s pretty much done and dusted for Joe Denly - he had multiple chances and I feel he did the best he possibly could, and even then came up short. TG: Exactly that. In the end his ability to bowl some part time leg spin couldn’t keep him in the side either. I don’t feel he did a whole lot wrong. As a matter of fact he actually was decent at soaking up balls, as he was asked. In the end that wasn’t enough. AS: Speaking of the top order, Rory Burns has been in questionable form this series as well, even though he has produced a few good innings from time to time in the past. Where do you stand when it comes to his ability? TG: No doubt, we need a lot more from him. I have never been a huge fan of his and at the moment he’s hanging on because there’s seemingly no one else giving him stiff competition whereas I feel he has the Pakistan series to light it up. On the other hand, I think Crawley deserves more time as an opener, since Sibley would be the ideal foil for his slightly more aggressive nature. I really would be thinking twice about having him in the side in Australia next winter - if you ask me, I don’t believe he has the game for it, for that reason I would get him out. AS: Finally, who’s in your team for the decider in this series? TG: My XI for next game would be as follows: Burns, Sibley, Crawley, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler, Curran, Archer, Broad, Anderson Ideally this is the playing XI I’d like them to go with, especially with the weather I have seen coming in, spin isn’t going to be that necessary to be honest. I feel a Buttler century is coming this week. I’d like Dan Lawrence in for Pope, not dropped but maybe rested, as I just think by the time Australia comes around the top 7 will potentially be along these lines: Sibley, Crawley, Lawrence, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler. There will be plenty at stake in the upcoming Test at Manchester. It’s evident that England scripted a key momentum shift that has them taking the slight upper hand. Will we see another strong outing from the hosts or will the Windies throw a wrench in the works? Good luck to both sides.
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