Warmed-up Windies to take English test

MANCHESTER, AUGUST 2: England and West Indies swap cricket ``pyjamas'' for traditional whites on Thursday to resume their five-Test battle...

MANCHESTER, AUGUST 2: England and West Indies swap cricket “pyjamas” for traditional whites on Thursday to resume their five-Test battle that was left intriguingly poised at 1-1 a month ago.

The home side, who have recalled Graham Thorpe alongside Trescothick after jettisoning Mark Ramprakash and Nick Knight, could try to remedy their batting fragility by packing the side with seven specialist batsmen. “We could opt to play seven batters or six batsmen, an all-rounder, a specialist spinner and three seam bowlers,” said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

If England opt for six batsmen, the selectors are likely to decide between Thorpe and Graeme Hick while recalling off-spinner Robert Croft.

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West Indies, meanwhile, have as many batting concerns. The dependable Shivnarine Chanderpaul is ruled out with a torn tendon in his right hand, while Brian Lara, sidelined by a sore hamstring, is short of practice since his last appearance on July 16.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, with two Tests to Chanderpaul’s 44, looks set to be selected for the first time in this series, and leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo could make his debut.

Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart, in contrast, are in the twilight of their careers. Thursday will see both earn their 100th Test caps, emulating Graham Gooch, David Gower, Colin Cowdrey, Geoff Boycott and Ian Botham.

Atherton and Stewart would relish a series victory over West Indies, a feat England have failed to complete in 12 attempts, either home or away, since 1969. Recent West Indian away form — 11 defeats in the last 12 Tests — suggests England will rarely get a better chance.

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Dominic Cork, meanwhile, will also be another England player looking forward to Thursday. With Andy Flintoff struggling with a back problem, Cork was recalled after a 20-month absence at Lord’s and took seven wickets in the match with his right-arm swing bowling before securing a dramatic victory with an undefeated 33 not out, including a six and four fours.

Cork, unusually for an Englishman, seems to enjoy playing West Indies. On his 1995 debut, he took seven for 43 against them in the second innings. Two matches later, at Old Trafford, he took eight wickets in the match, including a hat-trick. (Reuters)

Teams (from): ENGLAND: Michael Atherton, Marcus Trescothick, Nasser Hussain (Captain), Graham Thorpe, Graeme Hick, Michael Vaughan, Alec Stewart, Craig White, Andrew Cadick, Dominic Cork, Robert Croft, Darren Gough, Matthew Hoggard.

WEST INDIES: Sherwin Campbell, Chris Gayle, Adrian Griffith, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Jimmy Adams (Captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ridley Jacobs, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Franklyn Rose, Reon King.

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