(Reuters) – England still have high quality bowlers at their disposal regardless of the absence of quick bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson, West Indies head coach Phil Simmons mentioned on Monday forward of their three-check collection in opposition to England.
Anderson and Broad, who’ve taken a mixed 1,177 wickets in check cricket, weren’t chosen in England’s 16-participant squad following a 4-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia, however Simmons referred to as on his aspect to maintain their guard up.
“Everyone retains harping on about the truth that there isn’t any Broad, no Anderson,” Simmons advised a information convention. “Yes, England may not have the expertise, however they’ve younger fellas who’re hungry to make their identify.
“That is one thing that it’s important to guard in opposition to. For me, you’ll be able to’t be saying ‘that is a giant benefit’ as a result of you then are likely to get complacent and also you get came upon. There’s still some high quality bowlers in there who we’ve got to bat in opposition to.”
West Indies flew residence from their tour of India final month without a single victory, shedding each the one-day worldwide (ODI) and Twenty20 worldwide (T20I) collection 3-0 as their batters didn’t impress.
Simmons careworn the significance of getting good begins to innings, and mentioned he hoped that the opening duo of Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell would be capable of present the workforce a good platform to construct upon.
“I believe the final time we beat England, the opening pair was Kraigg and Campbell, so let’s hope that is omen for us,” Simmons mentioned. “They bat properly collectively.
“We’ve been speaking about getting begin and ensuring that we do not depart it for the center and decrease order.”
Simmons additionally offered an replace on bowler Shannon Gabriel, who was dominated out of the preliminary squad due to a hamstring damage however has since skilled with the workforce.
“We had him right here simply in order that we will see the place he is at. He’s so much additional on than I assumed he was,” Simmons mentioned. “He bowled properly, and bowled with some tempo.
“We’ll see what occurs over the following 4 or 5 days. This workforce was chosen for the primary check, so we’ll see the place he is at after which we will decide on the second check.”
The first check in Antigua begins on March 8 and might be adopted by contests in Barbados (March 16-20) and Grenada (March 24-28). The three-match collection kinds a part of the ICC World Test Championship.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru, enhancing by Pritha Sarkar)
