by Arthur Crabtree » Tue Jan 22, 2019 5:38 pm
It is at least a little disconcerting to be reminded that the apex of West Indies long domination over England's is now 33 years ago, the whitewash of 1986. Looking up the series the two countries played 33 years before that (the two all draw of 1953) I see the batting was dominated by Clyde Walcott and Len Hutton, the bowling by Sonny Ramadhin and Brian Statham which gives some impression of how long ago that 5-0 is now. To those of us approaching retirement at least.
And yet, through the long slow decline of West Indies cricket England have only briefly dominated in the Caribbean. They have still only won three series over there, and merely one since the West Indies hegemony ended; the victory which announced the emergence of England's great if transitory side of the mid noughties which won 3-0 in 2004. Against England at least, West Indies have mostly kept their pride buoyant in their own legendary stadiums. They drew in 2015 after being written off by the England head of admin. And won in 2009.
Tomorrow at 14.00 GMT England will start another series of three Tests in the holiday resorts of the Caribbean, commencing at the Kensington Oval, Barbados. And there is little evidence that England will find it any easier this time. In fact there is a whisper of a rumour of a renaissance in West Indies cricket. England will at least face a settled and full strength side, fortified by the return of Darren Bravo from his exile. If the soul of the great West Indies side was located on the island of Barbados, it has a strong presence in the current squad, including captain Jason Holder, opening bat, Kraigg Brathwaite, key middle order batter Roston Chase, keeper Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope who scored heavily in England a couple of years ago, and resurgent paceman Kemar Roach. They may never get stands named after them, but they and the rest of the current squad, especially under 19 World Cup winners Oshane Thomas and Shimron Hetmyer bring the tangy flavour of hope.
England have been in their own doldrums lately but back to back series wins against India and Sri Lanka suggest their recovery has at least managed to catch a breeze and the shape of a new side is emerging out of the long fog of the post Andy Flower era. There will be an interesting clash of the pace attacks with Shannon Gabriel (19.5), Jason Holder (12.4), and Kemar Roach (22.3) all averaging less than the more lauded England fast bowlers last year. Of course, the West Indies batting is fragile and inconsistent, but at least a familiar batting line up has settled in the eleven.
I see no reason why this England side should dominate the series. We've been told to expect it in the past and it hasn't come to be. I'm expecting a close contest, and maybe even a West Indies win if they have the run of the toss.
I always say that everybody's right.