England tour of the West Indies 2022

[MenInG]

Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the match schedule and venues for England Men’s T20 Internationals and Test Tours of the West Indies in January and March 2022.

England will arrive in the Caribbean to play the first-ever five-match T20I Series between the two teams. All five matches in Barbados will be played across a nine-day period from January 22 to 30, 2022, including two consecutive weekends of back-to-back T20 cricket.

Following West Indies’ white-ball tour of India in February 2022, the West Indies will welcome England back to the region for a three-match Test Series to compete for the newly created Richards-Botham Trophy. This new trophy honours two legends of cricket, Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham, whose friendship and on-field heroics became synonymous with some of their respective teams greatest Test match moments.

The Test Series will start at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (SVRCG) in Antigua on March 8, 2022 before moving to the Kensington Oval in Barbados for the 2nd Test starting on March 16. The 3rdTest match will commence on March 24 in Grenada at the National Cricket Stadium.

CWI will welcome fully vaccinated England fans throughout the tour. Online ticket sales will commence in mid-November through CWI’s ticket platform.

West Indies v England T20I Series, all played at the Kensington Oval, Barbados

Saturday January 22 – 1st T20I West Indies v England

Sunday January 23 – 2nd T20I West Indies v England

Wednesday January 26 – 3rd T20I West Indies v England

Saturday January 29 – 4th T20I West Indies v England

Sunday January 30 – 5th T20I West Indies v England

West Indies v England Test Series

March 1-4 – Four-day warm-up match at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua

March 8-12 – 1st Test Match West Indies v England at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua

March 16-20 – 2nd Test Match West Indies v England at Kensington Oval, Barbados

March 24-28 – 3rd Test Match West Indies v England at National Cricket Stadium, Grenada

 

[Varun]

The 2020s will be the death of the ODI.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

The 2020s will be the death of the ODI.

ODI’s should be restricted to WC’s only. T20 games should be increased in tours. People would rather sit for 3 hours and not 7 hours waiting for a result.

 

[Varun]

The 2020s will be the death of the ODI.

Just realized the pun in my sentence.

 

[Last Monetarist]

England should really win the test series this time around, embarrassing how they have not won in the Caribbean for almost 18 years.

 

[sweep_shot]

England haven't won a Test series in West Indies in a long time. This can be a good opportunity for them.

 

[Saj]

I just hope the ECB have thought about the welfare and well-being of their players.

Hope they don't have to cancel the tour at the last minute

 

[James]

The 2020s will be the death of the ODI.

) Genius.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

I just hope the ECB have thought about the welfare and well-being of their players.

Hope they don't have to cancel the tour at the last minute

Nowhere better than going to the Caribbean and chilling on the beaches. It’s a holiday for the players, they won’t mind.

 

[Robert]

Three tests, that’s pretty good.

WI have been a banana skin for England in recent years.

Hopefully ECB will be able to bring fast bowlers Stone and Mahmood and give them a good run.

 

[shamaan]

This will be a good even contest

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Ok,.if they are touring WI they better tour Pakistan for a 3 test and 5 odi series next year.

 

[MenInG]

England T20Is tour of West Indies (2022)

Eoin Morgan will captain a 16-player squad for England men’s International Twenty20 matches against West Indies next month.

Paul Collingwood will stand in as head coach for the five-match series, which will be played in Barbados from January 22-30. Marcus Trescothick will join the squad as an assistant coach.

The squad includes 11 players who travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the T20 World Cup last November. Left-arm seamer David Payne is the one uncapped player in the squad.

Paul Collingwood said: “We have selected a strong squad with some serious batting power and a balanced attack as we begin preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

“The World Cup is less than a year away and there will be increased opportunities for the squad in the absence of those players who are with the Ashes squad.

“I have good memories winning a World Cup in Barbados and I’m really looking forward to going back there with this squad to face a very good West Indies who will test all aspects of our skills.”

Squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex – captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Tom Banton (Somerset), Sam Billings (Kent), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), George Garton (Sussex), Chris Jordan (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Tymal Mills (Sussex), David Payne (Gloucestershire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey), James Vince (Hampshire).

T20I Series, all matches to be played at the Kensington Oval, Barbados:

Saturday, January 22 – 1st T20I West Indies v England
Sunday, January 23 – 2nd T20I West Indies v England
Wednesday, January 26 – 3rd T20I West Indies v England
Saturday, January 29 – 4th T20I West Indies v England
Sunday, January 30 – 5th T20I West Indies v England

 

[James]

Collingwood as head coach! Love it.

With Silverwood under pressure, Colly will have half an eye on securing the job full time.

Should be a competitive series, I reckon 3-2.

 

[James]

Three tests, that’s pretty good.

WI have been a banana skin for England in recent years.

Hopefully ECB will be able to bring fast bowlers Stone and Mahmood and give them a good run.

This series needs to be the acid test for a new England team and setup. See how it goes.

 

[Robert]

This series needs to be the acid test for a new England team and setup. See how it goes.

Indeed. Wobbles in for the disastrous Silverwood.

A bowling attack based round Robinson, Wood, Stone and Mahmood is my best option.

The Aussie commentators are saying that Stokes should be skipper as when Root was off the park, the field placings suddenly made more sense. What do you think? I’m not sure if he would handle the media well.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Really like the squad announced, a lot of new players and returning players will be tried while the main bulk of all three format teams will be given some time off or rest ahead of the Test series.

But it depends how many of those of Ashes test players leave the format or ask for rests. Already have Bairstow and Buttler calling time.

 

[MenInG]

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Interim Selection Panel today announced the squads for the upcoming series against Ireland and England. The West Indies will start the new year at Sabina Park, Jamaica as they host Ireland in the three-match CG Insurance One-Day International (ODI) Series and a one-off CG Insurance T20 International (T20I) from January 8 to 16. The two-time World Champions will then travel to Barbados to face England in five T20Is at Kensington Oval from January 22 to 30.

“We have tried to maintain the general make-up of the squads from the Pakistan Tour before Christmas, with the captain and some senior players coming back in. COVID-19 has also played a part in the final make-up of the squad. The challenges in the next couple months are getting the young players in both squads to not only improve on their skills but maintain the attitude and desire we saw in Pakistan,” Head Coach Phil Simmons said.

“We do need to start the year on a high. And we know both Ireland and England have very good teams, so we expect a very strong challenge as we look improve our chances of automatic qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023 and building the T20 team for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022.”

The CG Insurance ODI Series between West Indies and Ireland will form part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, in which the top seven teams can secure automatic qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

All matches will be available in Ireland and the United Kingdom on BT Sport on its sport channels and across its digital platforms.

SQUADS

CG Insurance ODIs vs Ireland

Kieron Pollard (captain)
Shai Hope (vice captain)
Shamarh Brooks
Roston Chase
Justin Greaves
Jason Holder
Akeal Hosein
Alzarri Joseph
Gudakesh Motie
Jayden Seales
Nicholas Pooran
Romario Shepherd
Odean Smith
Devon Thomas
COVID-19 Reserves
Keacy Carty
Sheldon Cottrell

T20Is vs Ireland and England

Kieron Pollard (captain)
Nicholas Pooran (vice captain)
Fabian Allen (England T20I only)
Darren Bravo (England T20Is only)
Roston Chase
Sheldon Cottrell
Dominic Drakes
Shai Hope
Akel Hosein
Jason Holder
Brandon King
Kyle Mayers
Rovman Powell
Romario Shepherd
Odean Smith
Hayden Walsh Jr.
COVID-19 Reserves
Jayden Seales
Alzarri Joseph
Devon Thomas

 

[James]

Looking forward to England touring the West Indies.

T20s in January (less significant) and then the main event of Tests in March.

Playing West Indies now is very good timing for the England Test side, which is about to begin a huge rebuild. It will be a stern examination of a new look English team.

2-1 either way across the three Tests.

 

[Robert]

Looking forward to England touring the West Indies.

T20s in January (less significant) and then the main event of Tests in March.

Playing West Indies now is very good timing for the England Test side, which is about to begin a huge rebuild. It will be a stern examination of a new look English team.

2-1 either way across the three Tests.

I bet they spin us out again. But Leach could do well.

 

[James]

<b>The Jamaica Gleaner: Simmons touting exciting cricket from refreshed West Indies T20 outfit.</b>

WEST INDIES head coach Phil Simmons said he is expecting his new-look T20 side to play with more ‘excitement’ with a new year and new focus being the catalyst for the former World Champions.

The regional side ended 2021 on a losing note, following a three-nil loss to Pakistan away, and that was preceded by a disappointing ICC Men’s World T20 campaign where the West Indies managed only one win in five matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

With a ninth-place ranking on the current ICC T20 list, the regional side is looking to rekindle its short-format spark, similar to that which it used to dominate the 20-over game in 2012 and 2016.

That rejuvenation starts with a one-off game against Ireland followed by a five-match series against England, and Simmons is looking for his young charges to lead the way in the resurgence.

“The way we started in Pakistan is the way we want to play with a lot more energy and enthusiasm. It’s a young group of guys and we are trying to mould them and get them into a frame of mind of winning and we will do everything that the team needs to win,” said Simmons.

Some of those young guns Simmons speaks of are the talented Jamaican duo of Brandon King and Odean Smith, who recently took part in the series against Pakistan.

King showed a glimpse of his immense talent, scoring the second-most runs in the series with 111 from three innings with a top score of 67. Smith also looked the part, with four wickets in three matches.

“I think I can safely say there will be a little bit more excitement as we go along,” added Simmons.

“We have always been trying to do things a little bit different and we are trying to step up things in the way we plan.”

“I think our batting is what we are going to focus a lot on because we need to be making the 160s and 180s to challenge people. Our bowling seems to be ready to defend scores and that is a good sign,” said Simmons.

The West Indies are expected to assemble in Jamaica on Monday as the regional side start the new year at Sabina Park by hosting Ireland in the three-match CG Insurance One-Day International (ODI) Series and a one-off CG Insurance T20 International (T20I) from January 8 to 16. The two-time World Champions will then travel to Barbados to face England in five T20Is at Kensington Oval from January 22 to 30.

— — —

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article...ting-cricket-refreshed-west-indies-t20-outfit

 

[MenInG]

Media reports say that ECB has asked all English BBL players also involved in the upcoming West Indies tour to head back home and isolate before the 7th of January

 

[MenInG]

ENGLAND MEN’S COACHING TEAM CONFIRMED FOR WEST INDIES IT20 TOUR

Anthony McGrath (batting coach), Alan Richardson (pace bowling coach) and Paul Tweddle (fielding and wicketkeeper coach) have been appointed to the England Men’s coaching team for the upcoming IT20 series away to West Indies.

The trio were appointed for the five-match series, which begins in Barbados on January 22, following an open recruitment and interview process.

Paul Collingwood has previously been confirmed as Head Coach for the tour with Marcus Trescothick an Assistant Coach.

McGrath and Richardson were a part of the England Men’s coaching set-up during the summer for the Royal London Series victory over Pakistan, while Tweddle joins the team for the first time.

The squad is due to fly to Barbados on Saturday.

 

[MenInG]

Brook added to England Men’s IT20 squad

Harry Brook has been added to the England Men’s IT20 squad for the five-match series against West Indies in Barbados.

The Yorkshire right-hander has been called up as batting cover for Sam Billings after he was included in the squad for the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart. Billings remains a part of the 17-player squad for the West Indies IT20s.

Brook has spent the winter in Australia with the England Lions and the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League. He is set to return to UK before flying to Barbados.

 

[Robert]

McGrath is batting coach???

If you can’t do, teach…

 

[transparent opacity]

Paul Collingwood named Interim Head Coach for West Indies Test series

England Men's Assistant Coach Paul Collingwood has been appointed Interim Head Coach for next month's three-match Test tour of the Caribbean.

Collingwood, who took charge of England's T20 tour of the West Indies last month, is currently taking a break in Barbados before joining the touring party when they arrive in Antigua on 25 February, said:

"I am genuinely excited to be leading the Test team for the tour of the Caribbean. I can't wait to get started.

"Having a challenging Test series against the West Indies straight off the back of the Ashes disappointment gives us a chance from now to reset and rebuild.

"Playing Test matches for England is the highest accolade in the game. My objective is to give players clarity, direction and encouragement for them to start building something special.

"I have spoken to Joe Root and Ben Stokes, and both are excited and passionate to take the team forward in this new cycle. Although they know it won't be easy, they have the desire and bravery to do things differently to ensure the team can prosper.

"We have an opportunity to get back on track."

The touring party will be announced later this week and departs the UK on Thursday 24 February.

Ends

England Men's Test Tour of the Caribbean

March 1-4 – Four-day warm-up match at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua
March 8-12 – 1st Test, West Indies v England at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
March 16-20 – 2nd Test, West Indies v England at Kensington Oval, Barbados
March 24-28 – 3rd Test, West Indies v England at National Cricket Stadium, Grenada

 

[James]

Paul wouldn’t be my choice for long term Test coach — maybe more so for ODIs/T20s? — but appointing an interim overall coach makes sense for this imminent tour. Best to him.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Paul wouldn’t be my choice for long term Test coach — maybe more so for ODIs/T20s? — but appointing an interim overall coach makes sense for this imminent tour. Best to him.

Strauss is supposidly in favour of a coach for white ball team and a different one for tests. In that case Paul would be good shout for white ball team. All depends on what new director of cricket decides is way forward.

 

[MenInG]

Selection panel names England Men's Test squad for the tour of the Caribbean

England Men's selection panel, consisting of Sir Andrew Strauss (interim managing director of England Men's Cricket), interim head coach Paul Collingwood and head scout James Taylor, have named a 16-strong squad for the three-match Test tour of the Caribbean starting next month.

England Men's Test squad

Joe Root (Yorkshire) captain
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire)
Ben Foakes (Surrey)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Alex Lees (Durham)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Durham opener Alex Lees and Yorkshire seamer Matthew Fisher are called-up for the first time.

Lees, 28, captained the Lions squad in Australia and has shown great potential in the LV= Insurance County Championship over the past few years with Durham and previously Yorkshire. He scored 625 runs in last year's Championship campaign, with a highest score of 129.

The 24-year-old Fisher took 20 wickets for Yorkshire last season at an average of 19.65 from County Championship matches. His control with the ball has impressed the England set-up for some time, and he was a stand-out performer for the Lions during the winter programme.

Alongside the new additions to the squad, the Lancashire duo of Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Parkinson will be aiming to make their Test debut in the Caribbean having featured in previous squads.

Surrey wicketkeeper Ben Foakes returns to the squad for the first time in under a year when he played the fourth Test in Ahmedabad last March against India.

Eight players – James Anderson, Dom Bess, Sam Billings, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed and Dawid Malan - who featured in the recent Ashes series, have missed out on selection.

Interim Managing Director for England Men's Cricket, Sir Andrew Strauss, said:

"With the start of a new cycle, it has allowed the selection panel to refresh the Test squad with a particular focus on competing away from home.

"We felt that it was time to draw a line after the Ashes defeat, look forward and give some impetus with an influx of new players.

"In respect of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, I want to emphasise this does not mean the end for them as England players. We feel that it is important to look at some exciting new bowling potential and give some added responsibility to other players who have featured previously. No one doubts the quality and experience that James and Stuart bring to the England set-up. It will be up to the new managing director and permanent head coach to decide on whether they will be involved this summer and beyond.

"This selection of this squad is the start of a process and a journey to get England Test cricket back to where it needs to be, and the hard work starts now."

The three-match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship. Joe Root's team will be looking to climb the rankings after a disappointing start to the second edition of the Championship. At the end of the two-year cycle, the top two teams will compete in the ICC World Test Championship Final due to be staged in 2023.

The touring party departs the UK on Thursday 24 February.

 

[Kroll]

Whoa! No Anderson or Broad, that's out of the blue for sure.

But guess its only West Indies.

 

[Amjid Javed]

So looks like england see crawley, lawrence and pope as batsmen who are most likely to possibly improve so they have persisted with them.

 

[James]

So looks like england see crawley, lawrence and pope as batsmen who are most likely to possibly improve so they have persisted with them.

That’s probably the correct call from them tbf.

 

[James]

Re: the squad. A mass cull indeed, the size of which even I was not expecting. Strauss is being bold and taking English Test cricket back to formula. He is an experienced statesman of the game, I think he is doing the right thing and I am backing him.

 

[James]

Last of all, how about a team?
A prospective lineup for the first Test.
Just for fun.

Crawley
Lees
Pope
Root*
Bairstow
Stokes
Foakes+
Woakes
Wood
Robinson
Parkinson

12th man: Mahmood

 

[Markhor]

Last of all, how about a team?
A prospective lineup for the first Test.
Just for fun.

Crawley
Lees
Pope
Root*
Bairstow
Stokes
Foakes+
Woakes
Wood
Robinson
Parkinson

12th man: Mahmood

Joe Root is batting at 3 according to reports.

It's arguably the weakest England Test squad since 1999 - and much like then England are starting a rebuild with a few fresh faces. So the emphasis is more on the future than short-term results.

The bowling looks okay even without the two stalwarts, they use the Dukes ball in WI so there'll always be some assistance on offer.

The batting is so thin with only Root as an established batsman.

WI beat a stronger ENG team 2-1 in 2019, and they should fancy their chances.

 

[James]

Joe Root is batting at 3 according to reports.

It's arguably the weakest England Test squad since 1999 - and much like then England are starting a rebuild with a few fresh faces. So the emphasis is more on the future than short-term results.

The bowling looks okay even without the two stalwarts, they use the Dukes ball in WI so there'll always be some assistance on offer.

The batting is so thin with only Root as an established batsman.

WI beat a stronger ENG team 2-1 in 2019, and they should fancy their chances.

I agree that we could be (and in fact we probably are) looking at a West Indies series win here.

From an England perspective meanwhile, for once, the pressure is off, and this tour is about building a new team.

I have no expectations of the result at all, but for this new look England team, winning at least one of the Test matches would be fantastic.

 

[shamaan]

Last of all, how about a team?
A prospective lineup for the first Test.
Just for fun.

Crawley
Lees
Pope
Root*
Bairstow
Stokes
Foakes+
Woakes
Wood
Robinson
Parkinson

12th man: Mahmood

Root will bat at 3

 

[MenInG]

England will arrive in Antigua on 25 February and play a four-day warm-up match starting on 1 March followed by three Tests.

The first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua starts on 8 March.

England's first Test at home this summer is against world champions New Zealand at Lord's, starting on 2 June.

England's batting woes in recent years reached a new low in Australia as they failed to pass 200 in six of their 10 innings and did not make more than 300 at all.

Openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed have been dropped, as has number three Dawid Malan.

Uncapped Durham batter Alex Lees is set to open against West Indies alongside Zak Crawley, while Strauss said Root will bat at three after asking to do so.

Root averages 38.66 in 53 innings, with two centuries, at three - compared to 51.27 in 106 innings, with 14 tons, at his usual position of four.

"A lot of our batting problems have come at the top of the order," said Strauss.

"Alex Lees comes in as a mature cricketer who knows his game well and it's an opportunity for him to stake his claim with Zak Crawley.

"Joe Root has said very categorically that he wants to bat at three and take that responsibility on.

"That's quite a fundamental shift in itself and creates a bit of space in the middle order for some of the less experienced players to play better and more consistently."

England squad: Joe Root (Yorkshire) captain, Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Alex Lees (Durham), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Fixtures

1-4 Tour match (opponents TBC)

8-12 1st Test, Antigua (14:00 GMT)

16-20 2nd Test, Barbados (14:00 GMT)

24-28 3rd Test, Grenada (14:00 GMT/15:00 BST)

BBC

 

[transparent opacity]

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel today named the West Indies Men’s squad for the first Apex Test match against England, as well as the CWI President’s XI squad for the four-day warm-up match. The first Apex Test will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium from March 8-12, following the warm-up match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) from March 1-4.

In the West Indies Test squad, there is a maiden call-up for fast bowler Anderson Phillip and a recall for opener John Campbell. Both players were impressive in the first two rounds of the current West Indies Championship, with 25-year-old Phillip from Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, taking 12 wickets at an average of 14.25 per wicket, with best figures of 5-82 against Jamaica Scorpions and 28-year-old Campbell from Jamaica Scorpions hitting 213 runs at an average of 53.25, including 127 against Barbados Pride.

The West Indies squad will assemble in Antigua from February 25 for a training camp ahead of the Apex Test Series.

Shane Dowrich, the experienced wicketkeeper/batsman has been named as captain of the CWI President’s XI with Raymon Reifer, the left-handed allrounder as the vice captain.

Lead Selector, the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said: “Anderson Phillip bowled extremely well and was very impressive in the first two rounds of the West Indies Championship and we decided to give him an opportunity in the Test squad to face England. He has been around the squad before in white ball cricket, so he has some experience at the international level.”

Haynes added: “I expect us to be very competitive against England. This should be a very exciting series, with a lot of players who are out to make their mark. We have a squad that has some experienced players, as well as some exciting young players and we expect them to equip themselves well and do the job.”

Tickets are on sale for the 1st Apex Test Match at windiescricket.com/tickets. Party Stand and special hospitality seats will be announced in the next 48 hours, with the warm-up match tickets going on sale on Wednesday, February 23 with prices from US$10 each/EC$30 each.

WEST INDIES TEST SQUAD
Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)
Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain)
Nkrumah Bonner
Shamarh Brooks
John Campbell
Joshua Da Silva
Jason Holder
Alzarri Joseph
Kyle Mayers
Veerasammy Permaul
Anderson Phillip
Kemar Roach
Jayden Seales

 

[James]

<b>Solid start for Alex Lees and Zak Crawley as England warm up for West Indies</b>

<I>The pair put on an unbroken 65 before lunch against a CWI President’s XI, Crawley dominating the scoring with 52 not out</I>

Newcomer Alex Lees and Zak Crawley began England’s tour of the West Indies with a wicketless first session in their only warm-up clash in Antigua, kicking off the much-discussed “red-ball reset” in sturdy fashion.

Much has changed off the field since they were thrashed 4-0 in the Ashes, with head coach Chris Silverwood, assistant Graham Thorpe and director of cricket Ashley Giles all sacked, while champion seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad have been overlooked with an eye on the future.

Hopes are high that the on-field shift will also be sizeable after a string of desperate batting displays in Australia and their latest opening pair made a solid start in reaching 65 without loss on the first morning against a CWI President’s XI.

Held at the renovated Coolidge Cricket Ground – previously known for its unwanted association with fraudster Allen Stanford – this 12-a-side outing represents the tourists’ entire competitive build-up for next week’s first Test and a chance for the uncapped Lees (11 not out) to forge a partnership with Crawley (52no).

The left-hander was reassuringly steady, seeing off a new-ball burst from Shermon Lewis and Preston McSween with a well-rehearsed defence. With Crawley unfurling a couple of crisp drives to get the scoreboard ticking, Lees scored a solitary run in his first half-hour as he settled in and banked time at the crease with nothing more than a couple of strangled lbw appeals to concern him.

He finally freed his arms when Colin Archibald offered him some width, punching the ball in front of point for four after 37 deliveries of watching and waiting, and picked up another before settling for an unbeaten 11 at lunch.

It was Crawley who took the game forward, easing into his status as the senior top-order batter. He pierced the infield eight times on his way to a fluent half-century, raising his bat just before the interval.

He was striking the ball nicely, as he so often does, but also operating with a little more conservatism outside off stump. For captain Joe Root, who has moved up to number three to offer the top order some resilience, it was a satisfying watching brief.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...hris-silverwood-west-indies-b2025957.html?amp

 

[James]

<b>Lawrence stakes England claim as Bairstow hits century in warmup</b>

— Day two, Antigua: England 466-6 dec, CWI President’s XI 48-2
— Jonny Bairstow unbeaten on 106 as Dan Lawrence makes 83

Dan Lawrence is on course to named in the England side for next week’s first Test against West Indies after a knock of 83 in the warmup match against a Cricket West Indies President’s XI in Antigua.

The Essex batter hit 46 on the first evening in Antigua and added another 37 in good time on Wednesday. Lawrence looked set for a century until he nicked the best ball of the day from Colin Archibald, but justified his selection ahead of Ollie Pope as England declared on 466 for 6.

Jonny Bairstow scored an unbeaten century on his return from injury at the Coolidge Cricket Ground as England found their batting rhythm on a slow surface. Bairstow (106 not out) followed Lawrence, Zak Crawley (62), Alex Lees (65) and Joe Root (54) in making half-centuries, with Chris Woakes on 49 when Root called his side in.

After the second day’s play, Lawrence admitted he was frustrated not to get a chance in the Ashes after travelling with the squad. “It was a bit of a frustrating time for me in Australia not playing but that’s life,” he said. “It was a nice feeling to score some runs. I’d obviously love to play in the first Test, that’s my number one priority.”

With runs on the board and no more games for Pope to push his cause, Lawrence appears a certainty to take the field at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium next week – and in his favoured No 4 slot for the first time with England.

“I’ve batted a few different places for England so far, but for Essex the last three or four years I’ve batted number four and felt pretty comfortable there. It’s a place I enjoy batting,” Lawrence added. “I’m trying to just prepare myself for when the opportunity does come.

“I feel like at times I haven’t showed everyone what I can actually do … but I’m feeling very positive and I’m really just trying to enjoy every day I’m playing for England and not put too much pressure on myself. It hasn’t gone how I wanted it to go so far in my career, but hopefully it can change.”

England’s declaration left a full session for England’s bowlers to show there is life after James Anderson and Stuart Broad – both controversially overlooked for this trip – but the seam attack found little joy in the surface as the local side reached 48 for two at stumps.

Craig Overton ran out a hesitant Jeremy Solozano off his own bowling before Jack Leach spun one through Shayne Moseley’s booming drive. Woakes and Ollie Robinson took new-ball duties, just as they did in the Ashes opener at the Gabba, but were unable to create any real mischief.

Root could not call on any extra pace with Mark Wood off the field and Ben Stokes so far only bowling in the session breaks. England suggested afterwards that Wood had no injury concerns and was merely resting, taking his turn out in what is a 12-a-side, four-day contest.

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2...rm-up-dan-lawrence-jonny-bairstow-west-indies

 

[MenInG]

The shadows of James Anderson and Stuart Broad loomed large over the third morning of England’s Test warmup for the West Indies series after Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson were temporarily withdrawn from the match because of fitness concerns.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...robinson-struggle-for-fitness-in-test-warm-up

 

[James]

Haha

Will be hugely embarrassing if they have to be recalled.

 

[James]

England doing well in their warmup against the West Indies President’s XI.

 

[Maher96]

England XI va West Indies XI ended in match Drawn.


England XI 466 for 6 (Bairstow 106*, Lawrence 83, Lees 65, Crawley 62, Root 54) and 164 for 4 dec (Lawrence 48, Foakes 43*) drew with CWI President's XI 264 (Reifer 106, Leach 4-62) and 123 for 7

 

[MenInG]

Ollie Robinson out of first Test v West Indies on Tues (back spasm). 12-man squad with Leach/Mahmood looking the final call

Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, Chris Woakes, Coverton, Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood

 

[James]

Robbo has looked short of his strapping best for most of the winter season, he’s a very good bowler who is proving difficult for batters to play away but the fitness aspect needs to improve.

 

[MenInG]

Cricket Icons unveil new Richards-Botham Trophy ahead of the West Indies vs England Apex Test Series

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket icons Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham unveiled the new Richards-Botham trophy which will be won by the victors in Test Series between West Indies and England Men’s Team. The trophy pays tribute to two all-time greats – whose rivalry and friendship embodies the close relationship and mutual respect between the two sides. The unveiling ceremony was held on Sunday evening at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium ahead of the first Apex Test match which starts on Tuesday, March 8.

The sparkling new trophy symbolizes “Courage. Friendship. Respect” – values that represent the Test cricketing rivalry between West Indies and England, and of two legends who best define them – Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham.

It has an ultra-modern design and consists of an upside-down cup, based on a Georgian rummer, with the joining sphere a cricket ball. One end is a rummer for drinking rum and the other a wine/ale goblet. The rummer has palm fronds and the ale cup has willow leaves. The ceremonial idea is that the winning team holding the trophy would have the rummer that represents their team face upward while they held it and it would be ceremoniously turned over when the other team wins.

Test matches between these two rivals dates back to 1928 when West Indies made their first Test tour to England. The teams, under captaincy of Kraigg Brathwaite and Joe Root, will renew the rivalry with the Apex Test Series.

Sir Viv said: “It’s a truly special feeling to have the fantastic trophy named in honor of my friend Ian and myself. We played a lot together and built a great friendship on and off the cricket field. As I said earlier, I am truly delighted to know that the game that I have shown my love for is naming such a prestigious award in recognition of what I managed to achieve. It’s a beautiful trophy and I want to again thank everyone who came up with this idea and contributed to its creation."

Lord Botham said: “It’s a great idea and a truly lovely trophy. It really stands out and I’m honored to have my name on the trophy alongside my friend Sir Viv. The captain who picks up the trophy at the end of the upcoming series will be a happy man.”

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said: “We’re really excited and ready for the upcoming Apex Test Series against England. This is going to be an amazing three weeks of cricket. It’s extra special too that we’re playing for the new Richards-Botham trophy, a fitting tribute to these two great men. We want to be the first team to get our hands on it and celebrate with our fans.”

England captain Joe Root said: “Test series between England and West Indies are iconic, and to have a trophy named after arguably the two most outstanding England and West Indies cricketers of all-time in Lord Ian Botham and Sir Vivian Richards is a fitting tribute for this great rivalry. We are enthused about the next month of competition, and we hope to make the England fans proud by lifting the Richards-Botham trophy.”

The Apex Test Series will feature three Test matches. The first at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the second Apex Test will be played at Kensington Oval, Barbados from March 16-20, with the climax in the third Apex Test at the Grenada National Stadium, Grenada on March 24-28.

 

[Markhor]

Seeing an image of the pitch - looks flat and devoid of grass.

Although historically Antigua is a seam friendly venue, expecting both teams to play a specialist spinner.

 

[boomboomcheema]

Excited for this series ,believe it will much more even contest than the over hyped Ashes. Something to look forward to during the night time, always love Cricket in WI.

 

[James]

Starts tomorrow.

Looking forward to it.

 

[MenInG]

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Cricket West Indies (CWI) Men’s Selection Panel has named an unchanged squad for the second Apex Test match against England. The match will be played at Kensington Oval from March 16-20. The three-match Apex Series is level 0-0 following a draw in the first Apex Test match, which was played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Nkrumah Bonner was named Player-of-the-Match. He scored a career-best 123 in the first innings and 38 not out in the second innings on the final day.

Lead Selector, the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said: “It was a hard-fought first match in Antigua and we decided to stick with the same 13 players for the second match in Barbados. Bonner demonstrated the way you should play, and we were very pleased with the way he played in the first innings and again in the second innings. It was a hard work for all the bowlers, and we were very happy with the way they stuck to the task.”


WEST INDIES TEST SQUAD

Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)

Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain)

Nkrumah Bonner

Shamarh Brooks

John Campbell

Joshua Da Silva

Jason Holder

Alzarri Joseph

Kyle Mayers

Veerasammy Permaul

Anderson Phillip

Kemar Roach

Jayden Seales



APEX TEST SERIES SCHEDULE

(10am local time/9am Jamaica Time)

March 8-12: 1st Apex Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – Match drawn

March 16-20: 2nd Apex Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados

March 24-28: 3rd Apex Test at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada

 

[transparent opacity]

West Indies docked WTC points and drop a place due to slow over-rate against England

The West Indies have been penalised for a slow over-rate during the first Test against England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, slipping to No.8 in the World Test Championship standings as a result.

Kraigg Brathwaite’s side were found to have been two overs short after reasonable adjustments and time allowances had been taken into consideration.

The result of the finding means that West Indies have been fined 40 per cent of their match fee by Richie Richardson of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, and have also been penalised two points in the ICC World Test Championship Standings.

The implications of the docked points mean that West Indies slip below Bangladesh in the World Test Championship Standings into eighth, and are one of three teams to have been docked points due to penalty overs.

This is West Indies’ first slow over-rate offence in the 2021-2023 Championship cycle, while India have been docked three points and ninth-placed England have been docked ten across ten matches to date.

The penalties are in line with the pre-agreed playing conditions for the World Test Championship, which state that a side will be penalised one WTC point and fined 20 percent of their match fees for every over they have failed to bowl in the allotted time.

Captain Brathwaite has acknowledged and accepted the ruling and sanctions.

The draw in Antigua saw England bat long in both innings, but West Indies frontline spinner Veerasammy Permaul sent down just 25 overs of his left-arm spin in the match, with the four-pronged seam attack bowling the bulk of the 188.5 overs.

Those lack of spin overs were a significant factor in the slow over-rate, and Brathwaite has pointed to it as an area for improvement going into the second Test in Barbados.

“There are some areas in terms of run rate we can improve and it’s simply just setting the field and bowling to it and being disciplined enough to bowl to that field,” Brathwaite said.

“I think we can do that better especially in the middle overs when a partnership may build. I think once we’re tighter, then we can build a little more pressure for us to get the wickets later in the innings.

“It’s finding ways to build pressure and as a spinner, under three runs an over is crucial, because obviously the ball didn’t spin much so I think the spinner really has to be tight.

“I thought it was a very good effort from the bowling group”

West Indies squad for second Test: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales

England Men's WTC Test Tour of the Caribbean

First Test: Match Drawn
Second Test: March 16-20 in Barbados
Third Test: March 24-28 in Grenada

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2533697

 

[Sami92]

Verasammy Permaul was extremely poor last match. I would have picked Rakheem Cornwall in place of him.

 

[James]

England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the second Test against West Indies in Barbados and will be replaced by Saqib Mahmood.

Lancashire's Mahmood, 25, will make his Test debut, with the match starting on Wednesday.

Ollie Robinson, who had a lengthy session in the nets on Monday after missing the first Test because of a back injury, continues to be sidelined.

England left out James Anderson and Stuart Broad, their top two leading wicket-takers in Tests, from the tour of the Caribbean.

Neither is understood to be on the list of reserves, with Warwickshire's Liam Norwell, 30, expected to be called up if required.

 

[James]

<b>Confirmed England XI for second Test —</b>

Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes (wk), Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood (debut)

 

[James]

Cricket West Indies (CWI) Men’s Selection Panel has named an unchanged squad for the third and final Apex Test match against England.

The match will be the series-decider and will be played at the Grenada National Stadium from March 24-28.

The three-match Apex Series is level 0-0 following a draws in the first Apex Test match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and the second Apex Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados, which ended on Sunday.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was named Player-of-the-Match in the second Apex Test. He scored an outstanding 160 in the first innings – his 10th Test century and first on home soil and then 56 not out in the second innings on the final day.

Lead Selector, the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said: “We were very impressed with the captain Kraigg Brathwaite showing the fight in the both innings and the way he led from the front with the bat. Also, Jermaine Blackwood and the way he played in the first innings to get a century. They batted very well together. We really appreciated the fighting spirit from the batting department. We decided to stick with the same squad and want to see them continue to give a big effort in the third Apex Test match.”

<b>Squad</b>
Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)
Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain)
Nkrumah Bonner
Shamarh Brooks
John Campbell
Joshua Da Silva
Jason Holder
Alzarri Joseph
Kyle Mayers
Veerasammy Permaul
Anderson Phillip
Kemar Roach
Jayden Seales

 

[MenInG]

England name their XI for Grenada - one change, Craig Overton for Matt Fisher (their intended team last week)

Lees, Crawley, Root *, Lawrence, Stokes, Bairstow, Foakes +, Woakes, Overton, Leach, Mahmood