Chris Tremlett: England need to avoid complacency and put to bed their poor record in the West Indies
England may not have a good record in the West Indies, but I feel they really should be winning the Test series in the Caribbean this time.
Joe Root’s side begin the three-Test campaign in Barbados next Wednesday as favourites. They are full of confidence and equipped with a stronger side on paper.
England have won eight of their last 10 Test matches, beating world No1 team India at home and Sri Lanka away to restore the positivity around the set-up.
Their 3-0 victory in 2004 may be the only successful Test series in the West Indies since 1968, but I don’t think the current side will pay too much attention to history.
When they last toured there, in 2015, England were in a period of rebuilding and claimed a 1-1 draw from three Tests and they are undoubtedly in a better place now.
Looking forward
Everyone is looking forward to the summer, when Australia arrive for the Ashes and there are lots of places to be cemented.
New faces such as opener Rory Burns will be keen to score some runs after a steady start in Sri Lanka, while experienced campaigners like James Anderson and Stuart Broad are also raring to go having largely sat on the sidelines in the last tour.
For Broad, his lack of involvement may have dented his pride so it’s refreshing to see him come back hungry and ready to make changes to add to his 433 Test wickets.
With a Dukes ball in hand, more helpful conditions and some inexperienced top-order batsmen, Anderson and Broad will be licking their lips.
While the Caribbean pitches will be dry and take spin in the fourth innings, I don’t think it’ll be a case of playing three spinners, like in Sri Lanka, so one of Adil Rashid or Jack Leach will probably miss out.
Complacency
The Caribbean is such an enjoyable place away from the matches, with holiday-makers around the hotels and a general laid-back attitude, that there is a chance of complacency creeping in.
The players need to make sure they’re not too relaxed and taken in by what is around them, because the series can serve an important purpose.
England have taken aim at the No1 spot in the Test rankings, but they need to win in the Caribbean just to hold third place, following South Africa’s whitewash of Pakistan.
I don’t think there’s a dominant side in the world at the moment. Third place is about right for England, but I’m sure they believe they are capable of reaching the summit.
Chance to shine
West Indies have suffered a prolonged decline in the last few years, but they are no pushovers and England’s frequent batting collapses will give them confidence.
The hosts have nothing to lose and always retain the ability to spring surprises, like the remarkable chase of 322 runs in the fourth innings to win at Headingley in 2017.
I remember Jerome Taylor helping bowl England out for 51 in the second innings in Kingston in 2009 and the current side still has quick bowlers who can trouble batsmen.
However, I feel that England will be solid this time. The date of the tour is good because they can carry forward their momentum ahead of a gap in the schedule.
With the World Cup approaching, this tour could be the last time to shine, and because of the competition for places that means everyone has an incentive to perform.
England’s hungry environment is a good place to be, so the idyllic Caribbean backdrop shouldn’t be a problem for Root’s side.