Saturday 11 April 2015 20:34, UK
After a World Cup mauling, England jet off for a three-Test tour of the West Indies on Thursday.
The onus is on Alastair Cook’s team to re-forge England’s reputation ahead of this summer’s five-day tussles with New Zealand and Australia.
You can watch all of the action on Sky Sports, starting with the first Test on April 13, but before then there are some key questions to answer…
We’re good at this format, right?
Yes – if you’re as good as your last three games. The last time England wore flannels they wrapped up a 3-1 series victory over India with a thumping innings and 244-run victory. The problem is what went before. The preceding winter’s Ashes whitewash continues to raise questions about England’s fallibility against the best teams in the world – concerns that were only heightened by last June’s 1-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka and the subsequent loss to India in July’s Lord’s Test. With New Zealand, Australia and South Africa the next three Test opponents, it could be a long road if England come unstuck in the Caribbean. But let’s be positive - England have lost only four home Test series since 2001, after all!
Who has the most to lose?
Head coach Peter Moores faces an uncertain future after England’s dismal World Cup showing and needs a big tour to impress incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves. With an Ashes series on the horizon, anyone who fails to deliver could find themselves frozen out in the summer. Alastair Cook clung onto the captaincy last year to guide England to victory over India but he, like Ian Bell, could do with a stack of runs to fend off the next generation of up-and-comers. Andrew Strauss was among those who felt James Anderson and Stuart Broad might be rested for this tour – the latter in particular given his recent injury history. A setback for either ahead of the great challenges to come would hurt badly.
Who has the most to gain?
Jonathan Trott looks likely to open upon returning to the side for the first time since the 2013/14 Ashes and could make himself a permanent fixture with a strong showing against an understrength West Indies. If so, his return will limit the opportunities for Adam Lyth – one of three uncapped players in the squad alongside Durham’s Mark Wood and Yorkshire spinner Adil Rashid, who have a greater chance to impress the selectors and force their way into the XI. After his stellar rise, then dispiriting discarding, the stage is set for the spectacular rebirth of Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes, while a dominant display with the ball would strengthen Ottis Gibson’s chances of gaining a longer-term contract as fast bowling coach. Oh, and Kevin Pietersen’s hopes of wearing the three lions again will soar if England capitulate.
How good are the oppo?
The headline news is that they’ll be without Chris Gayle, who will play in the IPL instead if his dodgy back permits but Darren Bravo who has recovered sufficiently from the hamstring injury that ended his World Cup early to take his place in a 20-man training squad. Suliemenn Benn bowled well and was on one of the few players to emerge from January’s 2-0 defeat to South Africa in credit, while Kraigg Braithwaite is an exciting prospect at the top of the order, but experienced heads Marlon Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will need big runs to keep the team afloat. The Windies sit eighth in the ICC Test rankings - five spots behind England – but with former Ireland coach Phil Simmons in charge of his country for the first time, expect greater harmony in a squad recently riven by contract disputes.
What will be the highlight?
Getting past 51 in each and every innings – something England failed to do at Sabina Park the last time England travelled to the Caribbean with Moores in charge. Seriously, though, it’s all about Jimmy. Now the suggestion England would rest him for this series has been quashed, the prospect of Anderson taking the four wickets he needs to pass Sir Ian Botham’s record wicket tally for England of 383 is just weeks away. Doing it in the first Test, which would be the 100th of his career, would surely make it all the sweeter.
Watch England’s tour of the West Indies live on Sky Sports, starting with the first Test on Monday 13th April.
