ST GEORGE’S (Grenada): The West Indies drop Sulieman Benn from their squad for the second Test against England, starting at the National Cricket Stadium here from Tuesday (today).

Benn was replaced by Shannon Gabriel, the right-arm seamer, in what is the only change to the team that drew the first Test of the three-match series in Antigua.

At various times throughout last week’s first Test, there was a vast chasm evident between these two teams.

The West Indies, gutted by administrative issues and the absence of star names, looked like exactly what they are: the lowest-ranked Test team among the game’s eight major sides.

England, meanwhile, continued to demonstrate that there’s little correlation between Test and limited-overs form, shrugging aside a disastrous World Cup campaign to play with an evenness from top to bottom. 

As such, it felt like bantamweight vs heavyweight. And yet, the series is still all square. 

For that, England only have themselves to blame—and a staggeringly flat pitch in Antigua, too—after failing to bowl the hosts out in the game’s fourth innings, despite having 130 overs in which to do so. 

Indeed, it was a frustrating encounter for the visitors, who, despite taking many positives away from the Test, were denied the victory they craved to help soothe the pain of a difficult winter. And as the series switches to Grenada, more toil and graft will be needed. 

For England, the expected return of Moeen Ali will be a boost, even though it’s likely he’ll replace the incredibly unfortunate James Tred well in what could be the only change to the side.

“Moeen is a quality batter and bowler so we will have to fit him in somewhere,” said vice-captain Ian Bell. “With Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, that is an exciting lower order.”

For England, it already feels as though Jonathan Trott is under significant pressure after just one game back.

Undone by the swing of Jerome Taylor in both innings in the first Test, the recalled veteran finds himself desperately in need of runs, with the presence of the outstanding Adam Lyth in the touring squad looming large. 

England coach Peter Moores has insisted there will be no knee-jerk reaction to Trott’s struggles, but the selectors might not be so kind if the theme repeats itself in Grenada.

West Indies coach Phil Simmons said: “We saw a really good display on the final day, which earned us a draw.

“It was a tough situation, but Jason Holder played really well to get his first Test century and we also saw a courageous effort from the captain (Denesh Ramdin) and Kemar Roach at the end.

“We had some good moments in the first match and as a team we will look to improve when we play the second Test. 

“We believe we can win, and we will play to win. We know the areas where we need to improve and what is required to win.”

Squads:

WEST INDIES: Devon Smith, Marlon Samuels, Kemar Roach, Shai Hope, Jason Holder, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo,Carlos Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood, Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Gabriel, Kraigg Brathwaite, Denesh Ramdin (captain, wicket-keeper),Jerome Taylor.

ENGLAND: Moeen Ali, Joe Root, James Tredwell, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, Ben Stokes, Jonathan Bairstow, Adam Lyth, Jonathan Trott, Alastair Cook (captain), Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2015

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