Change in England XI on cards as Dan Lawrence kept on standby with Ben Duckett awaiting big family news

England opening batter Ben Duckett is in doubt for the second Test against the West Indies National Cricket Team. The left-hander and his wife are expecting a baby and hence he might miss the second match of the series, which will be played from Thursday (18th July) in Nottingham.

Ben Duckett although is expected to play the game but if by chance, he doesn't feature, England has a plan in work. They will be promoting all-rounder Dan Lawrence at the top of the order to fill in the shoes of the opening batter. The all-rounder has played well for England in limited opportunities

Skipper Ben Stokes talked about the situation of Ben Duckett, claiming that if the opening batter goes home ahead of the game, then have to make a decision. He also revealed that if the opening batter leaves the team midway during the game then he will return for the game.

Ben Stokes also mentioned that Ben Duckett is keen to play the game but the head coach Brendon McCullum has told the opening batter to keep the family first. He also mentioned that the Southpaw will get the full support of the team in every situation. He added:

"There is a plan and place for Ben and his partner. We will have to make a decision if it was to happen before the game and we were batting but if it happens during the Test Ben will go and come back into the team.

"He is incredibly desperate to play this Test match but the message from me and Baz [head coach Brendon McCullum] is that family comes first. Whatever decision he ends up making he knows he will get our full support."

Ben Duckett didn't have a great outing with the bat in the first game of the series against the West Indies National Cricket Team. The opening batter scored 3 runs off 13 balls. On the other hand, Dan Lawrence has played 11 Tests for England and has scored four fifties with a best of 91. He has batted in the middle order but if Duckett goes, it will be a different challenge for him to open.

We picked what we felt was the best XI in the squad - Ben Stokes

England has also announced their playing XI for the second Test against West Indies. They included Mark Wood in place of James Anderson in the team. Ben Stokes talked about the team combination and said that they picked the best XI.

He also talked about the inclusion of Mark Wood, saying that having two genuine pacers will be good for the team, highlighting Mark Wood's success in the last Ashes. He elaborated:

"We picked what we felt was the best XI in the squad. Finding another bowler that can bowl between 87 and 90mph… is very exciting at the prospect of Gus Atkinson running in from one end and Mark Wood from the other.

"Woody had an unbelievable Ashes last summer. He was a massive player with a huge impact and everyone knows why - because of his pace. He was too hard to look past as he is one of our best bowlers."