3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 3 T20s in prospect.
West Indies captain Jason Holder: "Our consistency is something that has really plagued us in the past. Particularly with our batting. I just think we need to start the series well by putting some runs on the board in the first innings and making an early statement."
England captain Joe Root: "It's a great opportunity for this side to go one further, show that we're desperate to get to that No.1 status and keep developing as a squad. We know it's been one win in a long time here. It's tough for English sides to come here and win, and this West Indies team are very good in their own conditions."
Lots of talk about the pitch...
The pitch was quite the picture earlier this week - brown and mottled, and a pretty scary sight for batsmen who like to be able to judge a surface on appearances. But, on closer inspection on Monday, both sides seem to agree it's not quite the monster that was being talked up. The England camp have described it as "tacky", and crumbly, too, and a heavy night of rainfall won't have helped speed it up. The weather, by all accounts, is lovely now, thanks for asking.
West Indies captain Jason Holder: "Our consistency is something that has really plagued us in the past. Particularly with our batting. I just think we need to start the series well by putting some runs on the board in the first innings and making an early statement."
England captain Joe Root: "It's a great opportunity for this side to go one further, show that we're desperate to get to that No.1 status and keep developing as a squad. We know it's been one win in a long time here. It's tough for English sides to come here and win, and this West Indies team are very good in their own conditions."
Lots of talk about the pitch...
The pitch was quite the picture earlier this week - brown and mottled, and a pretty scary sight for batsmen who like to be able to judge a surface on appearances. But, on closer inspection on Monday, both sides seem to agree it's not quite the monster that was being talked up. The England camp have described it as "tacky", and crumbly, too, and a heavy night of rainfall won't have helped speed it up. The weather, by all accounts, is lovely now, thanks for asking.
