Windies young guns must prove the doubters wrong

In a rare interview during the drawn third test at OldTrafford two weeks ago, Ambrose said: "Courtney and I are still expected to do the bulk of the work. That’s unfair. The youngsters should be doing it."

While 37-year-old Walsh and Ambrose, 36, have shared 33 England wickets at a cost of 13.48 runs each in the first three Tests, Franklyn Rose has managed just four at 67.50 and fellow paceman Reon King has taken eight at 24.50.

Those figures not only underline how much West Indies rely on Ambrose and Walsh but also suggest the pressure on the batsmen eases significantly once the two are rested.

Yet, with the five-Test series level 1-1 and approaching its decisive phase, there can scarcely be a better moment or a more suitable ground for the younger members of the West Indian attack to prove the doubters wrong.

Though not so unpredictable since being relaid a few seasons ago the Headingley pitches still offer assistance to the quicker bowlers. It is also A venue where overhead conditions can play an important part wth the sudden appearance of cloud cover encouraging movement through the air. This has contributed to the fact that of the 18 Tests played at Leeds since the start of 1980 there have been 15 definite results.

Given all these factors England have omitted off-spinner Robert Croft from the 13 players called to Old Trafford, albeit after a disappointing one for 124 return in his only bowl of the match in the second innings on a pitch offering a degree of turn.

With their batting prone to be as brittle as that of West Indies, England are likely to include seven specialist batsmen. This would mean a 10th recall for Graeme Hick who was left out at Old Trafford after being named in the 13.

England are expected to field the four pace bowlers who played in the third Test, Darren Gough, Andy Caddick, Dominic Cork and Craig White. One of their Prime objectives will be the dismissal for as little as possible of Brian Lara who showed with his brilliant 112 at Manchester that he is now match hardened and means business after a relatively low-key start to the series.

Collectively, the four England pace bowlers may have the edge over their West Indian counterparts but as a pair Walsh and Ambrose remain a class apart. It is the level of support they receive which may be crucial to their side’s prospects.

The match is almost certain to be a memorable one for Ambrose who needs only two more wickets to join the elite group of bowlers who have taken 400 in Tests — Walsh (472), Kapil Dev (434), Richard Hadlee (431) and Wasim Akram (407).