ENGLAND'S TOUR OF WEST INDIES, 2019

How will England respond to the Cottrell probe?

by Vithushan Ehantharajah • Published on

Sheldon Cottrell took 5 for 46 in the second ODI. © Getty

Right then - we have a series on our hands.

Not for the first time on this tour, Windies showed in Barbados that they are not to be underestimated and in doing so have given England something to worry about. Specifically, Sheldon Cottrell. Or perhaps, more positively for the world number one side, they have identified a weakness that needs to be addressed.

Since the start of 2017, England's batsmen have averaged 25 against left-armers compared to the 40 against right-arm. With fewer lefties around, those you do come across tend to be of a high quality and the shift in angle is going to take some getting used to. Even with fewer days between each match, Eoin Morgan has asked his charges to come up with their own plans against the army man whose career-best of 5 for 46 removed both openers before skewering three more at crucial points during the chase.

It was also a wake-up call that this side could be undone in such fashion by opposition ranked ninth. England's fallibility when the pressure is on is no secret and the manner of defeats in the 2013 Champions Trophy final and the 2017 semi-final have them on red alert anyway. But here was a timely reminder that even from a comfortable position of 62 needed from 61 balls with six wickets remaining, against a side they had bested just two days earlier, nothing could be taken for granted. It also showed the Windies that they are a match for any side.

The presence of Cottrell in the second ODI seemed to lift the rest of the bowling attack and blessed Jason Holder with trusted options as the pressure rose. And while England may entertain changes, Windies could do with letting this team, specifically even this XI, see out the series to develop a strong core for when players like Shannon Gabriel, Evin Lewis and perhaps even Andre Russell return from suspension, injury and the cold, respectively.

Individually, there is still much to play for in the short term. John Campbell has made brisk starts without really cashing in, while another set of fifties for Shai Hope and Darren Bravo wouldn't go amiss. Jonny Bairstow averages just 28 in his last 10 ODIs and while Mark Wood is making an impression on the speed gun, he could do with ticking over in the wickets column.

When: Monday, February 25 at 10:00 AM (local), 2 PM (GMT), 7:30pm (IST)

Where: St George's, Grenada

What to expect:They haven't played ODIs at this ground since 2014 but the hosts have won all of the last five, although their opponents - Bangladesh and Zimbabwe - did not offer the sternest of tests. A rough guess on what has come before suggests a score of 350 here is well on the cards.

Teams:

Windies:

More of the same? Perhaps some extra pace bowling if the surface dictactes it, though Nurse's hitting at the death and Bishoo's 10 overs for just 49 in the last match may see both kept in. Why change a winning team...

Probable XI: Chris Gayle, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas

England:

Morgan stated it was unnecessary to push Woakes' knee to the limit with back-to-back games. After sitting out the last match, expect England to go back to their best limited overs bowler and, if they're feeling particularly frisky, even giving Joe Denly a run out. As it stands, expect them to play the XI that won the first ODI.

Probable XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

© Cricbuzz

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