Eng vs WI, 3rd Test, Day 1: Windies Opt To Bowl First; Archer, Anderson Return For England

England cricket team's Zak Crawley and Sam Curran have been replaced by fast bowler Jimmy Anderson and all-rounder Jofra Archer in the playing XI.

Photo: Twitter

West Indies won the toss and decided to bowl first in the third and final Test of the three-match series at Old Trafford, Manchester on Friday.

Both the teams will aim to emerge as champions in the final Test and lift the Wisden Trophy. The series is currently drawn 1-1. Both England and the West Indies have made a few changes in their squads.

England cricket team skipper Joe Root informed that the team management has decided to replace Zak Crawley and Sam Curran with sensational speedster Jimmy Anderson and star all-rounder Jofra Archer in the playing XI, respectively.

For Windies, 'big man' Rahkeem Cornwall is all set to make his first appearance in the ongoing series. Alzarri Joseph is the one who now gets to sit on the bench.

West Indies captain Jason Holder: With the overhead conditions we have finally decided to bowl first. The plan is to take advantage of the little moisture on the pitch as our bowlers will try to make most of it.

England captain Joe Root: Last game also our team had to bat first and fortunately it worked really well for us, hopefully, we can go and do the same thing.

England (Playing XI): Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich(w), Jason Holder(c), Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel