England vs West Indies 2nd Test: 5 Talking Points as spectacular Stokes pulls hosts level

#2 England face a problem of plenty with the pacers

Stuart Broad stepped up in the absence of partner-in-crime Jimmy Anderson

James Anderson was rested for this Test, with his recent injury history and the swift resumption of cricket after the break the most obvious reasons. Jofra Archer was excluded from the squad after breaking COVID-19 protocols on his way to Manchester, and Mark Wood was also dropped after a poor game.

These changes led to a completely new-look England pace attack featuring the likes of Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, and Stuart Broad. All three fast bowlers excelled at Old Trafford, giving England a selection headache ahead of the 3rd Test.

Woakes and Broad picked up 6 and 5 wickets respectively, and bowled incisive spells whenever called upon. England have never lost a Test at home that has featured Sam Curran, and the all-rounder also lends enviable balance to the side.

The Three Lions have a massive selection dilemma heading into the 3rd Test, which Archer and Anderson will most likely return for.

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#1 Windies get front-row tickets to The Ben Stokes Show

Ben Stokes completely outplayed Jason Holder in the 2nd Test

When Carlos Brathwaite deposited Ben Stokes over the boundaries 4 times in a row in the 2016 T20 World Cup final, many wondered if the Englishman's career would ever recover from the pasting. But the fighter in Stokes (no, not Bristol) has refused to give up.

The Durham man has since won his country a World Cup and pulled off an impossible heist in the Ashes. And in the most recent feather to his cap, Stokes scored over 250 runs and picked up 3 wickets in the same Test, a record that puts him on par with the legendary Sir Ian Botham.

Stokes' minor adjustments to his technique (his modified trigger movement) have paid rich dividends, and the southpaw averages close to 60 since. He is good enough to get into the team as a batsman alone, but gives it all with ball in hand and is safe as houses in the slips.

4 years after his worst moment as a cricketer and days after a loss in his first Test as captain, Ben Stokes had his moment of redemption against the West Indies.