England eased previous the West Indies within the first Take a look at at Lord’s, profitable by an innings and 114 runs in simply over two days, earlier than James Anderson bowed out on a excessive observe.
However captain Ben Stokes expects a response from his aspect’s “proud rivals” within the second sport of the three-match collection at Trent Bridge on Thursday, reside broadcast Sky Sports activities.
West Indies have bounced again earlier than, most lately in Australia in January once they suffered a 10-run defeat in Adelaide however made it eight straight wins in Brisbane.
Stokes’ aspect is concentrating on a primary Take a look at collection win since profitable 3-0 in Pakistan in December 2022. A really proud crew and we have now good competitors in opposition to them.
“We do not take with no consideration how the remainder of the collection will play out. Worldwide sport is a superb equalizer.”
‘West Indies have to play extra Take a look at cricket’
When requested the place his crew should enhance after posting 121 and 136 respectively at Lord’s, West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite’s reply was “Battling higher” good”.
“We have now some younger guys with a superb perspective. After the primary Take a look at it might be straightforward to provide in and quit however we have now to maintain digging deep,” Brathwaite advised reporters on Wednesday.
The opener additionally expressed his hope that his aspect will have the ability to play Take a look at cricket extra steadily in future as they give the impression of being to shut the hole on rich nations England, Australia and India.
The Nottingham Take a look at is England’s seventh of 17 Assessments this 12 months, however West Indies’ third of 9.
Brathwaite stated: “We’re hungry for extra Take a look at cricket. The extra you play, the quicker you study and the extra you perceive. Should you play two Assessments right here, two Assessments there , you want longer to study.
“We have to play extra Take a look at cricket and all I can do is maintain pushing for it, maintain asking for it. It can profit the gamers. I am nonetheless studying after 90 video games.
“I simply hope that the powers that be, who management the calendar across the white-ball and T20 tournaments, can provide us one other 5 or 6 Take a look at matches a 12 months.”
Competitors preparation or coaching – which is extra necessary?
Earlier than the primary Take a look at, West Indies performed only one warm-up match – a three-day match in opposition to the County Choose XI at Beckenham.
Seamer Shamar Joseph, who missed the warm-up match resulting from journey delays brought on by Cyclone Beryl, was the primary participant to play within the Brisbane Take a look at in opposition to Australia six months in the past. He performed his first red-ball match after India’s bowling victory and later battled cramps at Lord’s.
On the difficulty of the vacationers’ lack of match preparation, Stokes stated: “We have now to handle that in India – do we have now sufficient sport time?
“This was a very long time in the past. Now, there are such a lot of feedback from individuals who performed the sport when this was the norm.
“Cricket is completely different now, there are such a lot of tournaments all over the world and it is tough to discover a good accumulation window for franchise cricket.
“After we practice collectively, we really feel like we stick collectively and do not spend a lot time in warm-up video games. Typically you are feeling such as you want a day within the grime to get your physique used to it once more.”
Stuart Broad Finish to make look at Trent Bridge
Following Anderson’s retirement, the 41-year-old spent the remainder of the summer season as a bowling mentor, with Mark Wooden recalled to the England squad to affix Stokes, Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes assault.
Atkinson, who took 12 wickets on debut in a man-of-the-match show final week, will obtain the brand new ball alongside Woakes, who will win his fiftieth Take a look at cap.
It is going to be the primary dwelling Take a look at since 2012 with out a minimum of one in every of Anderson and Stuart Broad – the latter having retired final summer season.
However each will likely be current on the sport: Anderson as a part of England’s backroom employees, whereas Broad is within the Sky commentary field.
The Stuart Broad Finish will even debut at Trent Bridge, with the Pavilion Finish to be renamed after the previous England and Nottinghamshire pacer who took 604 Take a look at wickets .
Watch the primary day of the second Take a look at between England and West Indies reside at Trent Bridge in Nottingham sky sports activities cricket Begins at 10 a.m. Thursday (first pitch at 11 a.m.).
Promoting content material | Dwell broadcast on Sky Sports activities now
Watch Sky Sports activities reside now with no month-to-month or day membership contract. Watch reside soccer, darts, cricket, F1, tennis, golf, rugby league, rugby union and extra immediately.