As West Indies prepare to face England in the first test of the Wisden Trophy on Wednesday July 8, legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara is of the opinion that the visitors’ must try to win the Test in four days as their batting cannot last five days.
“I don’t think they can last five days, so they have to take these games in four days. They have to establish a lead and keep it,” Lara told BBC.
The visiting West Indies team has three bowlers- Jason Holder, Kemar Roach and Shanon Gabriel- all of whom are ranked in top 20 Test bowlers, but when it comes to batting the team does not much experience and runs to back them.
In fact, the Windies batsmen average paltry 23.59 in 19 Tests since their last tour of England in 2017.
Need to pounce immediately
The former West Indies captain feels that the Jason Holder’s team must be able to pounce immediately.
“They have to be able to pounce immediately.
“England are not beaten very easily at home and are overwhelming favourites.
Although the West Indies team has been in England for almost a month since June 9, Brain Lara believes that the series would depend the on how quickly the touring team can adapt to the English conditions.
“They have to hit the road running and stamp their authority on England,” Brian Lara said.
A win would mean a lot
Currently, the Wisden Trophy is held by the West Indies team after triumphing 2-1 on home soil in 2019. Brian Lara, who scored 11,953 runs for West Indies in 131 Tests, said that if West Indies can win the Trophy it would mean a lot to all the West Indians.
“It’s going to be a series that’s watched all around the world and everybody is hoping to see a competitive series.”
“It would mean a lot to all West Indians if they could win.
“If they play good cricket on the first day of the Test series, show they have the mettle to perform against England, that’s the key,” 51 year old said.
Earlier the English Test captain, Joe Root, who will miss the first of the three Test against West Indies, had asked his batsmen to prepare well to ensure that the touring team does not get better of them as they did on their home soil in 2019.
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