Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

West Indies vs England 1st Test Preview Dream11

A first glance at England’s Test tour of the Caribbean might bring thoughts of a one-sided contest.

However, this Test series begins with one of the more unlikely unbeaten records, with West Indies not losing to England at home since 2004. The Windies’ recent Test form is awful, easily losing four Tests across tours of India and Bangladesh, but their home form before that made for encouraging viewing. With Windies Test Cricket ailing more and more these days, this is an opportunity to spark some life against a side looking to continue its own good form.

England take the field in the first Test having won just one of their last seven Tests in the Caribbean. However, there is a renewed sense of optimism ahead of a huge year – that also includes home World Cup and Ashes campaigns – after five straight wins, including an eye-catching 3-0 win away to Sri Lanka. Can England inflict further misery on West Indies and claim their first series win on these shores in nearly 15 years?

Key to West Indies win

Oh Jason Holder. Sweet Jason Holder.

West Indies’ inspirational captain is back, and boy did the Windies miss him whilst injured during their tour of Asia. He will be crucial with the ball, possessing the ability to get the ball moving in long spells to keep the pressure on England. However, the onus will also be on Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach to extract life out of what is expected to be a sluggish Barbados track. Can the seamers make inroads into the England top order, giving them an early as possible shot at the middle order? What impact will the spinners have? With England possessing a long batting line up, consistency and persistence is key for the Windies.

Also, the batting effort of the Windies will be crucial to how they fare in this Test. Shai Hope has very fond memories of England, and will be key here, along with Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase and the returning Darren Bravo. England will feel confident they have an attack capable of producing the goods on the Barbados track, so how the Windies counter pace and spin, and whether they are in the mood to stick it out for the long haul, will be crucial. If Jason Holder walks in with a strong platform set, it will be a positive place to be.

Image Credit: Getty Images. West Indies vs England 1st Test Preview Dream11 – West Indies welcome back Jason Holder

Key to an England win

England played with great self belief in Sri Lanka, and will have to show the same in the Caribbean against a side who have Jason Holder back. They have an excellent mixture of youth and experience, and the long batting lineup has the potential to cause significant pain to the Windies. The top seven, particularly the openers, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root will be key in snuffing out any Windies enthusiasm early, paving the way for the two Ben’s – Stokes and Foakes – to continue on the strong effort. With Sam Curran likely to bat as low as nine if picked, England have the resources to score big. Will it come to fruition?

Also, what was impressive in Sri Lanka from an England perspective was the effort all-round with the ball. Spin played a huge role in that series, and could be key here again with the conditions expected. Can Moeen Ali have a better time of things than his last visit to Barbados? What movement can James Anderson extract? Can England build the pressure further on Jason Holder? A great opportunity awaits.

Image Credit: Getty Images. West Indies vs England 1st Test Preview Dream11 – Will Joe Root have a big one?

Possible Playing 11

Jason Holder returns for the West Indies, and so too Darren Bravo after a two year exodus.

West Indies Possible Playing 11: 1. Kraigg Brathwaite, 2. John Campbell, 3. Shai Hope, 4. Darren Bravo, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Roston Chase, 7. Shane Dowrich (wk), 8. Jason Holder, 9. Jomel Worrican, 10. Kemar Roach, 11. Shannon Gabriel

England could go in with two spinners, with Stuart Broad likely to miss out.

England Possible Playing 11: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Keaton Jennings, 3. Jonny Bairstow, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler, 7. Ben Foakes (wk), 8. Moeen Ali, 9. Sam Curran, 10. Jack Leach, 11. James Anderson

Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

• England have not won a Test series in West Indies since 2004, winning just one of their last seven completed Tests.
• England have won five Tests in a row, whereas West Indies have lost the same amount.
• West Indies have not lost to England in 12 of 15 Tests at Barbados.

Match Prediction

England’s big year begins with a potentially tricky test, but one they will pass.

England to win.

Thanks for reading!

West Indies vs England 1st Test Preview Dream11 Prediction