The seamer Jofra Archer has been named in the squad after completing his isolation protocol. This was after the Barbados-born player breached the team's bio-bubble ahead of the 2nd Test.

The biggest issue for the English is the fitness of the all-rounder, Ben Stokes, who injured his quadriceps during the 2nd Test.

Should push comes to shove, Stokes may indeed be used as a specialist batsman for the decider.

After all, he did score 176 in the first innings of the 2nd Test, and 78* in the second to set up the victory for the English.

English captain, Joe Roots, says they will give Stokes as much time as possible to recover before making a call.

“We'll have to see where Ben is at because he's still feeling it a little bit in his quad and we need to make sure he's fit to bowl.

“Ben pretty much spent the whole of the second Test on the field so it was a long old game for him.

“He is definitely okay to play as a batsman. It's just how much of an impact he can have with the ball throughout the whole game and in the second innings.

“We talk about looking after everyone but this summer, with so many games in such a short space of time, when you are 150 percent every ball for six games on the bounce, it's always going to take its toll at some point. We all want to make sure we get the most out of Ben and I'm sure he wants to ride the wave. We all want him to do that as well but it is important he's looked after.

“He's matured so much and I think we saw that when he said he wasn't quite right to finish the over.

“That's a massive step forward for him. It shows his maturity with his cricket because we wouldn't have seen that a few years ago. He would have kept going and might have done himself some serious damage. It does take a lot to keep him down and take him out of the action.”

Play in the series decider at Old Trafford in Manchester is scheduled to begin at noon.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport