This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/04/alastair-cook-england-west-indies

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Alastair Cook accepts only a series win will suffice against West Indies Alastair Cook accepts only a series win will suffice against West Indies
(about 3 hours later)
It is perhaps apt England begin their tour of the West Indies in close proximity to the setting of Death in Paradise. After all, anything other than victory in the three-Test series and there is likely to be blood in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean.It is perhaps apt England begin their tour of the West Indies in close proximity to the setting of Death in Paradise. After all, anything other than victory in the three-Test series and there is likely to be blood in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean.
The BBC murder mystery is filmed on Guadeloupe, part of the Leeward Islands and an area that also includes the neighbouring St Kitts. That is where England arrived on Friday for their two warm-up matches against a St Kitts & Nevis Invitation XI that precede the series against West Indies.The BBC murder mystery is filmed on Guadeloupe, part of the Leeward Islands and an area that also includes the neighbouring St Kitts. That is where England arrived on Friday for their two warm-up matches against a St Kitts & Nevis Invitation XI that precede the series against West Indies.
Related: Alastair Cook uncertain whether Jonathan Trott will handle Test return
Sharks are still circling Peter Moores, England’s coach, after the shipwreck that was his side’s shambolic World Cup campaign. The positions of Moores and Paul Downton, the managing director of England cricket, were significantly weakened by the shambles in Australia and New Zealand.Sharks are still circling Peter Moores, England’s coach, after the shipwreck that was his side’s shambolic World Cup campaign. The positions of Moores and Paul Downton, the managing director of England cricket, were significantly weakened by the shambles in Australia and New Zealand.
Alastair Cook, the returning Test captain who is without an international century in almost two years, could do with some convincing performances as well. In light of the comments by Colin Graves, the incoming chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, the futures of all three men could well rest on the outcome of the series here.Alastair Cook, the returning Test captain who is without an international century in almost two years, could do with some convincing performances as well. In light of the comments by Colin Graves, the incoming chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, the futures of all three men could well rest on the outcome of the series here.
Graves does not take office until next month but has wasted no time in laying down the law. He has already caused offence in this part of the world by writing off a West Indies team shorn of nine regulars thanks to the Indian Premier League as “mediocre”. The bluff Yorkshireman has also put the triumvirate of Moores, Downton and Cook on notice by saying there will be “inquiries” if England lose the series.Graves does not take office until next month but has wasted no time in laying down the law. He has already caused offence in this part of the world by writing off a West Indies team shorn of nine regulars thanks to the Indian Premier League as “mediocre”. The bluff Yorkshireman has also put the triumvirate of Moores, Downton and Cook on notice by saying there will be “inquiries” if England lose the series.
Things are always heightened in the build-up to an Ashes summer. However, this year the stakes have been raised even higher by England’s World Cup embarrassment and Graves’s encouragement to Kevin Pietersen. The exiled batsman, discarded amid the purge that followed the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, has rejoined Surrey and committed to playing first-class cricket after negotiating a release from his IPL deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad. An England recall seems highly implausible, if not impossible. However, the fact Pietersen is still dominating the news agenda 14 months on from his very public divorce from the ECB is a distraction the team could do without.Things are always heightened in the build-up to an Ashes summer. However, this year the stakes have been raised even higher by England’s World Cup embarrassment and Graves’s encouragement to Kevin Pietersen. The exiled batsman, discarded amid the purge that followed the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, has rejoined Surrey and committed to playing first-class cricket after negotiating a release from his IPL deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad. An England recall seems highly implausible, if not impossible. However, the fact Pietersen is still dominating the news agenda 14 months on from his very public divorce from the ECB is a distraction the team could do without.
Cook, who has benefitted from the three months off provided to him by losing the one-day captaincy, is at least aware of the stakes. Asked on Saturdaywhat would constitute success over the next five weeks, he replied simply: “A series win.”Cook, who has benefitted from the three months off provided to him by losing the one-day captaincy, is at least aware of the stakes. Asked on Saturdaywhat would constitute success over the next five weeks, he replied simply: “A series win.”
That really is the bottom line and despite all the problems the team have endured in recent months, they should have more than enough quality to beat West Indies.That really is the bottom line and despite all the problems the team have endured in recent months, they should have more than enough quality to beat West Indies.
Graves’s “mediocre” comment was compared to Tony Greig’s infamous “grovel” in 1976 by the respected Caribbean commentator Tony Cozier. Yet Graves has a point. Any team in the world would miss the talents of Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, and Kieron Pollard. Other high-profile absentees include Lendl Simmons, plus Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy, both retired from Test cricket. Phil Simmons, who has taken over as West Indies coach after eight distinguished years in charge of Ireland, has a lot of work to do in the week before the opening Test.Graves’s “mediocre” comment was compared to Tony Greig’s infamous “grovel” in 1976 by the respected Caribbean commentator Tony Cozier. Yet Graves has a point. Any team in the world would miss the talents of Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, and Kieron Pollard. Other high-profile absentees include Lendl Simmons, plus Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy, both retired from Test cricket. Phil Simmons, who has taken over as West Indies coach after eight distinguished years in charge of Ireland, has a lot of work to do in the week before the opening Test.
A squad of 20 meet in Antigua on Sunday and although it includes many names unfamiliar to English audiences, there are still enough proven international performers in it to trouble Cook’s team. Among them are Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo, Devon Smith and Marlon Samuels. In terms of fast bowlers, the captain, Denesh Ramdin, will have Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach at his disposal. Miguel Cummins is a newcomer in the West Indies pace department, the 24-year-old from Barbados taking 82 wickets at 23 in his 30 first-class matches.A squad of 20 meet in Antigua on Sunday and although it includes many names unfamiliar to English audiences, there are still enough proven international performers in it to trouble Cook’s team. Among them are Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo, Devon Smith and Marlon Samuels. In terms of fast bowlers, the captain, Denesh Ramdin, will have Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach at his disposal. Miguel Cummins is a newcomer in the West Indies pace department, the 24-year-old from Barbados taking 82 wickets at 23 in his 30 first-class matches.
Related: Alastair Cook will always look more like a choirboy than an England captain | Andrew Anthony
Another newcomer worth keeping an eye on is Shai Hope, 21, a No3 batsman who has little experience but a lot of potential if the 211 he scored for Barbados against the Windward Islands is anything to go by. That innings was the only double-century of the Caribbean first-class season and may be enough to see him parachuted straight into the team for the first Test.Another newcomer worth keeping an eye on is Shai Hope, 21, a No3 batsman who has little experience but a lot of potential if the 211 he scored for Barbados against the Windward Islands is anything to go by. That innings was the only double-century of the Caribbean first-class season and may be enough to see him parachuted straight into the team for the first Test.
As for England, the outstanding selection issues appear to be who will open alongside Cook and the composition of the bowling attack. Jonathan Trott appears to be winning the race to solve the first of those conundrums ahead of Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth.As for England, the outstanding selection issues appear to be who will open alongside Cook and the composition of the bowling attack. Jonathan Trott appears to be winning the race to solve the first of those conundrums ahead of Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth.
James Anderson, who will make his 100th Test appearance in Antigua and is three wickets behind Ian Botham’s England Test record of 383, will lead the attack alongside Stuart Broad. Both had poor World Cups but will be re-energised with red ball in hand. Ben Stokes is likely to be given the chance in an all-rounder’s role, leaving Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood, the uncapped Durham seam bowler, Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid, the Yorkshire leg-spinner, fighting it out for the final place.James Anderson, who will make his 100th Test appearance in Antigua and is three wickets behind Ian Botham’s England Test record of 383, will lead the attack alongside Stuart Broad. Both had poor World Cups but will be re-energised with red ball in hand. Ben Stokes is likely to be given the chance in an all-rounder’s role, leaving Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood, the uncapped Durham seam bowler, Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid, the Yorkshire leg-spinner, fighting it out for the final place.
England have said they will not necessarily give everyone a run-out in the two warm-up games at Warner Park. It means there could be a very strong hint as to the composition of the attack, if not the team, when they name their XI on Monday.England have said they will not necessarily give everyone a run-out in the two warm-up games at Warner Park. It means there could be a very strong hint as to the composition of the attack, if not the team, when they name their XI on Monday.