An intriguing tour in its own right, of course, as England have claimed a Test series victory in the West Indies only once in the last 50 years (in 2004). And they come here off the back of a successful tour in Sri Lanka. West Indies' Test side may have struggled this decade but they still have strong opening bowlers in Roach and Gabriel, and England have inexperienced opening batters. Plus West Indies found some strong performances in their 2017 tour of England.
The venues for the Tests are Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia - so there are some different conditions to deal with as well. But the hosts' weakness in batting all day in the long format is probably one of the reasons England will start as favourites.
Schedule:
First Test 23-27 Jan
Second Test 31 Jan - 4 Feb
Third Test 9-13 Feb
Then five ODIs and three T20Is.
And of course this tour serves as an overture for what is a massive summer for English senior men's cricket. You know, what with the whole World Cup and Ashes business.
The venues for the Tests are Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia - so there are some different conditions to deal with as well. But the hosts' weakness in batting all day in the long format is probably one of the reasons England will start as favourites.
Schedule:
First Test 23-27 Jan
Second Test 31 Jan - 4 Feb
Third Test 9-13 Feb
Then five ODIs and three T20Is.
And of course this tour serves as an overture for what is a massive summer for English senior men's cricket. You know, what with the whole World Cup and Ashes business.
Comment