Windies, England in search of rehabilitation

Crucial face-off between both teams in ODI series starting today .

NORTH SOUND: Two teams in dire need of rehabilitation ahead of the next global cricketing contest start what should be an intriguing fortnight of competition on Friday when the West Indies host England in Antigua.

While the next World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is still just under a year away, the Caribbean side’s defence of the World Twenty20 crown begins in three weeks’ time in Bangladesh.

So it will be no surprise if there is even greater interest and purpose attached to the three Twenty20 fixtures between Dwayne Bravo’s men and Stuart Broad’s side in Barbados the week following the final One-Day International (ODI).

But in the almost immediate aftermath of the horrendous foreign campaigns, victories for either side in any format and against any opposition will be welcome.

England’s annihilation in Australia over all three established formats of the game grabbed most international attention, but the West Indies also endured humiliating Test series defeats in India and New Zealand, despite performing more creditably in the one-dayers.

Pollard, Gayle not to feature in the series

Both squads are without key performers going into the opening exchanges at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, named in honour of the tiny nation’s greatest cricketer.

On England’s last visit to the Caribbean in 2009, the scheduled second Test at the same venue lasted all of nine deliveries before it was abandoned due to a poorly-prepared outfield covered perhaps with more sand than any of the island’s idyllic beaches.

Then, Kevin Pietersen had just been replaced as captain by Andrew Strauss.

Meanwhile, West Indies have no intention of parting ways with their own mercurial batsmen as yet.

Still, Chris Gayle will not be in the line-up for the three ODI’s due to a back injury, while power-hitting all-rounder Kieron Pollard will be  missing this series and the World Twenty20 as he continues his recuperation from knee surgery.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2014.

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