West Indies face setback ahead of final Test against England

West Indies have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the third and final Test against England as right-arm spinner Kevin Sinclair has been ruled out due to injury. 

Sinclair sustained a fractured forearm when a bouncer from Mark Wood struck his wristband on the fourth evening of the second Test, leading to his dismissal for just one run. 

This injury contributed to West Indies' dramatic collapse from a promising 61/0 to being bowled out for 143. England won the second Test by a commanding 241 runs, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite confirmed Sinclair's absence at the pre-match press conference at Edgbaston. 

Brathwaite announced that Gudakesh Motie would be returning to the squad, and Akeem Jordan has been called up. 

However, the final Playing XI remains uncertain due to rising pacer Shamar Joseph's flu.

“[Kevin] Sinclair is out with a fracture,” said Brathwaite. “He got a blow from Mark Wood, “So, Motie’s back in. And we have called up Akeem Jordan, so we have a 12.

“We’ve named a 12 because Shamar Joseph just has a bit of flu. So, we’re waiting on tomorrow (Friday) morning to make the decision on the 11.”

Meanhile, England had confirmed that they will maintain their unchanged lineup for the final Test.

England's playing XI for third Test:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir