Cricket
Alan Gardner, Associate editor, ESPNcricinfo 7y

Focus on Westley in England's unchanged squad

WI tour of England 2017, Cricket

England have retained the same 13-man squad for the third Investec Test against West Indies at Lord's, meaning Tom Westley could still make a case to retain his place at No. 3.

Defeat at Headingley - England's first at home to West Indies since 2000 - left the series level at 1-1 but the selectors have continued a policy of sticking with players who have underperformed. The shape of the top order has been of particular concern ahead of the winter's Ashes tour to Australia, while England also dropped six clear chances over both innings as West Indies pulled off a famous chase of 322.

England's problems began in the first innings at Headingley, where their batting let them down again, although they gave an improved showing to post 490 for 8 second time around. Mark Stoneman scored his maiden international half-century and Dawid Malan posted a score in the 60s for the second game running.

Westley's role has been most under scrutiny, however, having so far managed scores of 8, 3 and 8 in the series. In the second innings at Headingley, he was caught playing an expansive drive the over after surviving a running mix-up with Stoneman, as England fought to overturn a 169-run first-innings deficit.

Although he made a half-century in his second Test innings, against South Africa at The Oval, his returns have quickly diminished. A strong scorer on the leg side, he was twice dismissed lbw by West Indies bowlers targeting his pads.

England could still make changes to the balance of their side at Lord's, with the legspinner Mason Crane - who pulled off superb catch while on as a substitute to briefly lift the team on the fifth day at Headingley - potentially in line for a Test debut. Chris Woakes had replaced Toby Roland-Jones for the second Test and struggled for consistency on his return although batted impressively. Crane, Woakes and Stuart Broad have been available for NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day on September 2.

The coach, Trevor Bayliss, has meanwhile given his support to England captain Joe Root after his declaration on the fourth day allowed West Indies a way back into the series.

"I don't think it will affect him too much," Bayliss said. "I think there are a few guys in the team behind him that were fully supportive - everyone was fully supportive - of his declaration and I'm sure they'll be backing him up and suggesting in the future if we need to declare I'm sure they'll give him a helping hand.

"I hope the result doesn't change the way he thinks about the game. In that situation, more times than not, we'll win more than we lose. The wicket played pretty well and the West Indies batted even better, so all credit to them, but I'd like to see the same sort of thought process happening in the future."

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