"Edgbaston is important to continue learning" - Ian Bishop's motivational message for West Indies to avoid England whitewash

Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop wants West Indies to pick themselves up and show some fight in the third Test against England to be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

England are 2-0 up in the three-match Test series and have already wrapped up the Richards-Botham Trophy. But a win in Edgbaston will not only boost West Indies' confidence but will also give them crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points.

West Indies played a lot better in the second Test at Nottingham and even took a first-innings lead. But they lost steam in the second innings as England turned on their Bazball mode to post 457 runs on the board in the third innings of the match, thanks to magnificent centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook.

Chasing 385 to win, West Indies were bundled out for just 143 in their second innings as their batters were foxed by some brilliant bowling by offspinner Shoaib Bashir and Chris Woakes.

Also read: Shocking decision by English Cricket Club as players banned from hitting sixes

Ian Bishop's inspiring words for West Indies ahead of the Edgbaston Test

Renowned commentator Ian Bishop reckons that West Indies will need to pick themselves up for the third Test and avoid a clean sweep. He added that it is a learning process for the inexperienced West Indies team and they need to be mentally ready for this Test.

"If the guys can hear me now, they have to pick themselves up. I know it's hard and I know maybe a lot of the mental energy was drained by their application with the bat in that first innings' magnificent score and the sort of capitulation in the second innings. But Edgbaston is important to continue learning," Bishop said.

"Edgbaston is important to continue learning."@irbishi shares his thoughts on the next match being as important as the last.#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/6ZXpdi6k4b

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) July 23, 2024

"In every game, you play with pride" - Ian Bishop to West Indies

Bishop also reminded the team that they are representing the people of the Caribbean and should be enough to give them energy. He also said that West Indies are going to play South Africa after this series and if they win here, it will give them confidence going into that series.

"The Richards-Botham trophy goes to England but then there is the South Africa series on the back end. So you one-to-one know that you represent the people of West Indies. In every game, you play with pride and that should be enough to energize you," Bishop inspired the West Indies team.

"And If that's not enough, you're coming up against South Africa less than a week or about a week's time late on. And you want to go there with confidence. So there is still a lot to play for a team that's still learning," he added.

After this series, West Indies will go home to play a two-match Test series against South Africa. The series will begin on August 7 with the first Test to be played at Port of Spain, Trinidad. The second Test will begin on August 15 at Providence Stadium, Guyana.