Thursday, 22 January 2009

‘Tense, hard-fought’ England-West Indies series in offing

Kingston (Jamaica), January 22: West Indies head coach John Dyson is expecting “tense, hard-fought” cricket against England in the upcoming Digicel Series 2009. Dyson noted that his players will be fully prepared and ready when the first ball is bowled in the first Digicel Test Match at Sabina Park, Jamaica, on February 4.

“The much awaited home series against England should produce tense, hard-fought cricket between the two teams. England is placed two spots higher than the West Indies at Number 5 on the ICC Test table which is enough incentive to spur the West Indies team on to perform well,” Dyson said.

“The cricket loving public should be ready for some engrossing cricket. It is time for West Indies to stand up and prove that we are climbing the International Cricket Council’s [ICC] table.”

The West Indies recently returned from New Zealand where they drew the two-Test series 0-0. Dyson said he will be looking for more good performances from the experienced members of the team, in the four Test matches, on home soil.

“Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been in consistently superb form over the past 12 months and Chris Gayle is fresh from a magnificent 197 against New Zealand at Napier. Both will be keen to continue their excellent touch with the bat while Ramnaresh Sarwan, will want to make amends for a moderate tour -- by his high standards -- of New Zealand,” Dyson said. “Brendan Nash, after an excellent debut series in New Zealand , will look to build on his impressive start to Test cricket and post his first Test century. All other hopeful West Indies batsmen will be desperate to score significant runs and secure their place in the team.”

The head coach also looked at the opportunities available in the bowling department. “The bowling will again revolve around the pace of Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell. The trio is no longer a ‘rookie’ combination and big things are expected of them. Edwards had a fine series in New Zealand and returned his best ever haul of 7-87 at Napier,” Dyson said.

“His pace and controlled aggression will be important weapons in the ‘home series’ and strong support from Taylor and Powell will be required to bowl out England in the Tests. Jerome will also be aiming to build on his new ‘all-rounder’ status following his free flowing, maiden Test century at Dunedin.”

Dyson also noted that a number of other fast bowlers and seamers will be knocking at the door to “press the senior bowlers for a spot in the team”.

“The series is a further opportunity for a spinner to make a major contribution to the bowling effort. Hot competition for the spinning role exists between Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Amit Jaggernauth, Dave Mohammed and others and all should be desperately keen to impress the selectors in the regional four-day matches. Whoever is ultimately given the job must provide the wicket-taking variety West Indies need to balance the established pace attack,” he said.

ENGLAND’S FULL ITINERARY:

January 25-27: vs St Kitts XI
At Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

January 29-31: vs West Indies “A” Team
At Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

February 4-8: 1st Digicel Test
At Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

February 13-17: 2nd Digicel Test
At Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua


February 21-22: vs Barbados Cricket Association’s President’s XI
(Venue to be determined)

February 26 to March 2: 3rd Digicel Test
At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown , Barbados

March 6-10: 4th Digicel Test
At Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

March 14: vs West Indies Players Association XI
(Venue to be determined)

March 15: Digicel T20 International
At Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

March 20: 1st Digicel One-Day International
At National Stadium, Providence, Guyana

March 22: 2nd Digicel One-Day International
At National Stadium, Providence, Guyana

March 27: 3rd Digicel One-Day International
At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown , Barbados

March 29: 4th Digicel One-Day International
At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown , Barbados

April 3: 5th Digicel One-Day International
At Beausejour Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet , St Lucia

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