We are now under a week away from the first test between England and West Indies. It is an important series for the tourists with victory being crucial if they are to gain some momentum ahead of the Ashes.
The series win would also represent a good start under Andrew Strauss and would finally put the whole Pietersen / Moores saga to bed. Nothing cancels out controversy better than a few test victories after all!
So, in a bid to preview the first test sufficiently, let’s take a look at what the England team should / will be in Jamaica next week.
Opening Batsmen – These two positions go without saying. Captain Strauss and Alistair Cook will undoubtedly opening the batting for England.
Number Three – This is the position that is up for most debate. Ian Bell has held the position in recent months and despite poor form is set to bat here in England’s final warm-up game. This suggests that he will get the nod over Owais Shah, who performed brilliantly against in the recent tour match.
Number Four – Pietersen will be back to his best on this tour. I really feel that he will score plenty of runs against the West Indies. He has a knack of proving his critics wrong in style. Much like his hundred the other day suggests.
Number Five – Paul Collingwood is likely to slot in here. He is a very experienced campaigner and is another player under pressure from Shah. However, the Durham man will almost certainly get the chance to secure his test place.
Number Six – This one depends on fitness. If Andrew Flintoff is injury free, he will play. If not, it’s that man Shah who will come in. England seem confident that Freddie will make it though, so Shah could continue in his role as the nearly man of English cricket. I feel for him, I really do.
Number Seven – Matt Prior is currently in possession and the gloves and that won’t change between now and the first test. He has found runs hard to come by as late though, so perhaps Tim Ambrose will get another chance at some point.
Number Eight – If Flintoff is fit, England are likely to go into the first test with two spinners. This means that Adil Rashid and Graeme Swann will be battling it out for this position. Given his performances in India though, Swann will probably be Strauss’ man. Rashid’s time will come.
Number Nine – Should Ryan Sidebottom prove his fitness in the latest tour match, he will play. He was England’s leading wicket taker last year and will thrive in the West Indies.
Number Ten – This is another interesting battle. Steve Harmison and James Anderson are reportedly gunning for one spot. Much may depend on how each of them performs against West Indies A, but at the moment the cricket odds are probably favouring Harmison.
Number Eleven – Oh Monty, Monty……Panesar will be looking to prove his worth as England’s premier spinner on this tour. He looked in decent form in the warm up match and hopefully he can carry this on into the test matches.
So, there you have it. The team I expect to fact West Indies in the first test next week is:
Alistair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom, Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar.
The team I would want is slightly different though. I’d have Shah in for Bell. But who am I to question the England selection team?
By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about cricket betting
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