Chris Stocks in St Kitts suggests that although the opposition will not be the strongest, the Champions Trophy campaign will be starting in the Caribbean.
With fewer than 100 days to go until the start of the Champions Trophy, this tour of the Caribbean is when England’s preparations for that tournament get serious.
The three one-day internationals against the West Indies, starting in Antigua a week today, begin the countdown to a competition on home soil that Eoin Morgan’s side need to excel in to underline their progress in 50-over cricket since the last World Cup in 2015.
The Champions Trophy will also give an indication of how far the team still need to go ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England.
Much has changed since that shambolic campaign in Australia and New Zealand in 2015, with a nucleus of exciting, young players dragging England’s white-ball cricket kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
In truth what awaits them here in the Caribbean is a weak West Indies side shorn of almost all their top talent through a combination of political fallings-out and downright strange selection.
A 3-0 series win should be expected against opposition missing, among others, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Sulieman Benn and Johnson Charles.
There will be no lack of motivation for the hosts given this is Australian Stuart Law’s first series as West Indies coach. And in captain Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, whose four final-over sixes against Ben Stokes in Kolkata won the West Indies the World T20 last year, and Devendra Bishoo, there are some familiar names.
It is, though, in effect a West Indies B team.
The conditions will be different and the opposition questionable – West Indies remember didn’t even qualify for the Champions Trophy, such has been their recent fall from grace in one-day cricket.
This story is from the February 24,2017 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 24,2017 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.