Debutant Alex Lees and Wicket-Keeper Batter Ben Foakes brought in as Replacements for West Indies Tour

ECB is in a lot of crisis. Currently they are placed at bottom in the World Test Championship Cycle 2021-23. They got humiliated by the Champion Aussies by 4-0 in the Ashes 2021-22. In that Series, a lot of batters performance was below par. The likes of Root, Stokes and Buttler found new ways to get out. The Iconic bowling pair of Anderson-Broad weren’t given enough runs to bowl at which made sure that Aussies pile on a lot of runs.

The Captaincy of Joe Root was questionable as he was seen saying that bowlers need to bowl a bit fuller to make things happen. Australia’s and one of the Greatest Test Captains of all Time Ricky Ponting lambasted Root by saying that what are you doing in that post, if bowlers aren’t listening to you. The entire Ashes Series was no less than a cry for Britishers.

ECB’s main motto as of now is to reset Red Ball Cricket and in doing so they have dropped Rory Burns & Jos Buttler and the Legendary Pair of James Anderson- Stuart Broad. Although Andrew Strauss made it clear that this is not the end of the road for Anderson and Broad. By dropping Rory Burns, England have named Alex Lees in the squad and recalled Ben Foakes for Wicket-keeper.

Alex Lees inclusion at the top means ECB have not ignored their right hand-left hand strategy. The other opener is the dashing Zak Crawley. The left-handed batter has played for a lot of counties in England like Durham and Yorkshire. Going by the stats which are displayed below, it is crystal clear that he has grinded a lot. Amassing 7,000 runs in domestic circuit is not that easy which looks.

The batter has a steep road ahead as succeeding in Caribbean conditions is tough. ECB knows that they haven’t won a Test Series in West Indies since ages. Last tour of 2019 was a horrible as England throwed the towel by losing first 2 Test Matches. Since that tour England are finding an ideal opener. They have tried numerous openers, yet they haven’t performed according to the expectations.

It is often said that opener has to lay the foundation for the other batters to stamp their authority. The way England’s batters have performed over the last year states that there is a lack of intent of scoring quick runs. Having a strike rate of 40-50 is better than getting out on single digit scores. ECB have started the process of getting in right batters for conditions, though they have to give time.

Stats

Batting	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	Balls	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
First-class	127	217	14	7078	275*	34.86	15049	47.03	17	35	885	32	89	0
List A one-day	63	58	6	2095	126*	40.28	2677	78.26	4	16	200	21	22	0
List A Twenty20	56	53	6	1350	77*	28.72	1114	121.18	0	8	134	23	20	0

Ben Foakes has been recalled to the Test Side. He has been in and out of the time. He had made his debut in 2018 against Sri Lanka in Alien Conditions. He too was a part of 2019 Caribbean tour where he had a forgettable outing. He is famous for his supreme and acrobatic glove-work. He was a part of England’s tour to India in 2021 where he thrilled everyone by doing amazing wicket-keeping.

Foakes major test of character would be to score handful runs. He just can’t be praised for wicket-keeping. England already have the services of Jonny Bairstow who can take up gloves if needed. Ben Foakes record as a batter isn’t that great, although these are his early days. He has been in and out of the team which too has to be seen by ECB. Foakes alike other can be the missing spark for England.

The wicket-keeper batter’s main prowess is to play attacking cricket. He just can’t let the opponent bowlers dominate the phase. His role would be pivotal as playing around tail-enders can be the deciding factor. If he can manage to stick to the crease and contribute 50-70 odd runs with the bowlers then the scenario would change drastically. ECB would hope that they get a keeper like Matt Prior.

Stats

Batting	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	Balls	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Test	8	16	3	410	107	31.53	877	46.75	1	1	34	5	14	5
One-day international	1	1	1	61	61*		76	80.26	0	1	3	1	2	1
Twenty20 international	1	0	0	0	–			–	0	0	0	0	1	0
First-class	123	194	32	6214	141*	38.35	12181	51.01	11	34	775	25	254	29
List A one-day	73	63	11	1941	92	37.32	2244	86.50	0	18	163	18	86	11
List A Twenty20	77	52	12	856	75*	21.40	690	124.06	0	4	72	14	38	10
Youth Test	2	3	0	76	46	25.33	208	36.54	0	0	9	0	2	0
Youth ODI	22	21	3	854	111	47.44	1026	83.24	2	4	85	10	23	3

Ben Foakes and Alex Lees can prove to be the game-changers. West Indies Coach Phil Simmons and Captain Kraigg Braithwaite would be wary of the factor that their team is mercurial. England on the other side too have been erratic. Both the nations know that they have started a new chapter in their rivalry which should not be taken lightly as we all know that spectators don’t like Test Cricket.

West Indies arsenal and weapon is their pace bowling. They have got the likes of Roach, Holder and Alzarri who are too hot to handle. All these trio were a part of the successful triumph. The ex-skipper Jason Holder now is playing as an all-rounder which undoubtedly a bit sad as he is one of the most senior statesmen. Nevertheless, he can be lethal as of now there is no added responsibility of the team.