The national selectors of England have announced 12 players for the third Test vs. West Indies and decided to give a break to the speedster James Anderson.
The Wisden Trophy – first Test of the series was played at Lord’s, London, on May 17, 18, 19. 20 and 21, 2012 and was won by the home side by a margin of five wickets. Anderson secured three wickets in the match after a hard work of 61 overs in both innings.
The Wisden Trophy – 2nd Test took place at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on May 25, 26, 27 and 28, 2012, and was clinched by England convincingly by 9 wickets. Anderson bowled magnificently in the match by grabbing two wickets in the first innings followed by four in the second one.
James Anderson faced a minor injury during the second Test and the selectors decided to provide him with some rest ahead of the hectic season. Geoff Miller, the national selector believes that Anderson was omitted from the squad in the best interest of the cricketer and England. Miller commented,
“James Anderson will miss this Investec Test as we look to manage his workload ahead of a busy period of cricket this summer and beyond, a decision which is in the best interests of the team and James himself.”
England is leading the series 2-0 after crushing the Caribbeans in the first two Tests and looking ahead for a complete whitewash by winning the third Test. The home team has once again emerged as a strong unit under the leadership of Andrew Strauss. The skipper is leading them from the front while becoming the highest run scorer for England by thrashing 309 runs in four innings at a super average of 77.25, the best of 141 with a century in each Test.
Steven Finn and Graham Onions have been included in the 12-man team and both of them can get a chance in the third Test if the selectors decide to give a rest to Stuart Broad. We will have a brief look in the careers of Finn and Onions and their achievements as well.
Steven Finn
Steven Thomas Finn was born on April 4, 1989, in Watford, Hertfordshire, a right arm medium fast bowler and right hand batsman. He has played for England, England Under-19s, Otago, England Lions, Middlesex 2nd XI and Middlesex.
The 23-year-old made his Test debut against Bangladesh on March 12, 2010 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong and held two wickets. He played his last game vs. Sri Lanka at P Sara Oval, Colombo on April 3,4,5,6 and 7, 2012 and got three wickets.
Finn has appeared in 13 Tests, grabbed 53 wickets at an average of 26.92 runs per wicket with the best of 6-125 in an innings and 9-187 in a match.
Graham Onions
Graham Onions was born on September 9, 1982, in Gateshead, a right arm medium fast bowler and a right hand batsman. He has played for England, Marylebone Cricket Club, Durham Cricket Board and Durham.
The 29-year-old played his first Test vs. West Indies on May 6, 2009 at Lord’s, London and grasped seven wickets in the match. He appeared in his last match against South Africa on January 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2010 at Newlands, Capetown and held three wickets.
Onions has played 8 Tests, secured 28 wickets averaging 31.03 with the best of 5-38 in an innings and 7-102 in a match.
Geoff Miller was pleased with the performance of his team after they won the first two Tests and believed England can make it 3-0 with their continued hard work by winning the third match against the touring West Indies. He further commented,
“We have been made to work hard for our two victories so far and are delighted to have secured the series, but we know that we will need to continue to play some good cricket if we want a third win against West Indies this week.”
The third and final Test will commence from June 7, 2012 at Edgbaston, Birmingham and England will strive hard to win that as well.
England squad for the third Investec Test:
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex, captain)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Graham Onions (Durham)
Kevin Pietersen (Surrey)
Matt Prior (Sussex, wicketkeeper)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
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