Root returns as Denly axed for second Test

England have dropped Joe Denly for the second and penultimate Test match against the West Indies which begins Thursday at Old Trafford, with captain Joe Root returning to the side.

Root missed the first Test at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton to attend the birth of his child, with Ben Stokes taking the reins.

Denly, who averages under 30 in Tests, was dismissed for 18 and 29 in England's four-wicket defeat in the series-opener.

Root will slot into his usual No 4 role, while Zak Crawley, who struck an impressive 76 in the second innings at Southampton, will move up to three.

Denly, who made his Test debut against the West Indies last year, has reached double figure 24 times in 28 innings but has managed just six half-centuries.

England are set to make a decision on pacer Stuart Broad later on. 

Broad was omitted for the series-opener as England opted for the speed of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood and the experience of James Anderson in their pace attack.

Following their victory in Southampton, the West Indies are on the verge of sealing their first Test series win in England in more than three decades.

Thursday's game is the first of two back-to-back Tests in Manchester which will be played behind closed doors in a biosecure environment.