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West Indies bring a strong bowling attack, but their batting is shallow
As Test cricket returns, a ban on the application of saliva to the ball and fresh, hard, high-summer pitches suited to batting may still not be enough to see bat dominate ball in the First Test at the Ageas Bowl.
Even if the forecast rain arrives over the first two days, there should be time for a result. Both sides face tough selection dilemmas among strong, experienced bowling attacks, which will fancy feasting on callow batting orders.
Eighteen months ago in the Caribbean, England were caught cold by the pace assault launched by Kemar Roach and company. That should act as a warning shot this time. The shape of the attack that Roach will spearhead remains unclear. They could go with four quicks and the spinner Rahkeem Cornwall — who, as England Lions learned three years ago, should not be mistaken for a cult figure because of his 22st frame — at the expense of a batsman.
Alternatively, Cornwall (with Roston Chase, taker of an eight-wicket haul in last year’s series, providing the spin) or Alzarri Joseph, the whippy young quick, could miss out.
Either way, Dom Sibley, who has lost 12kg in lockdown, will know that the Windies will be using the short ball to him, with a man tucked round the corner at leg slip. That has been a productive area for him in county cricket, but a possible weakness at Test level. As the series in South Africa dragged on, the Proteas had success there, and he fell in that fashion in last week’s tour match, too.
“That’s just another challenge for me to overcome,” said Sibley. “You’ve got to find ways to deal with it. It was interesting in the practice match that they went with that as well, so it was a good experience.”
The West Indies’ batting does not carry as much pedigree as their bowling attack.
Indeed, West Indies legend Brian Lara told the BBC: “I don’t think they can last five days, so they have to take these games in four days. They have to establish a lead and keep it.”
Shimron Hetmyer and Darren Bravo stayed at home due to coronavirus fears, meaning much rests on the shoulders of Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope — both of whom have had lean spells since their brilliant performances in the unforgettable victory at Headingley in 2017.
Despite the memory of that game, there is much to excite England’s attack.
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