Let's talk Cricket

England and the West Indies lock horns this week in what is going to be some test series. West Indies start with a new captain. England starts with a stand in captain, who continues to build up a healthy drop down the order, drop out the line-up record. He was dropped down for the Ashes tour, dropped out of the line up for all but a couple of world cup encounters and dropped down the order for the matches he played. Strauss will probably promote himself to open again at Lords but if he fails and Vaughn comes back for the second test, he could easily be, yes dropped out of the line up again. As for Flintoff, after his world cup exploits, it looks like the ankle problem may be back. West Indies must be licking their lips at the possibility of starting a series against an England line-up without Vaughn and Flintoff.

England look to be starting as favourites. In their favour is the fact that so far this century they have not lost a test at Lords. Impressive; is it not? But don’t ever right off the West Indies. Weather permitting; change could be on the way. Under Sarwan they say they are fired up to prove a point. Who knows at back of their minds maybe manager Findley’s mission for a 100% win this series. Or could it be they are bent on proving that whereas they have been loosing with king Laura (they have not as much as smelt victory in their last 15 tests) they can now win without him.

We must have the makings of a good, good series. Two below par teams fighting for survival. What could be better?