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[goodarmcindy]

WI pace attack should provide a good test for the openers. Not sure it's sticking my neck too far out to suggest that one of the openers will probably be discarded after this series.

Bairstow might struggle if he stays at three against the pace too.

[goodarmcindy]

Jennings (10) and Bairstow (4) gone in the first warm up game.

Dean Wilson of the Mirror: "[Bairstow's innings was] antsy and unconvincing"

[FattusCattus]

Oh well - at least Burnsy's had some time at the crease.

[SD]

Good to see Root getting time in the middle too after a modest time in the Big Bash

[ppccopener]

There is some pace about but it's not like the 1980's where four came at you all the time, if there are holes in technique thou pace does find you out-so an important test for Bairstow at 3. There's no more shuffling of the order I can see that can be done so there's a lot to play for our openers.

Jennings oddly enough strength for a top order player is playing spin which is a bit unusual.

Don't think the wickets apart from Barbados will be quick, and we are paying a test in St Lucia i think for the first time.
Recent tours it seems are geared for the travelling support, as in no tests in Guyana,Trinidad or Jamaica.
I think that's how it pans out.

[SD]

I would say both Jennings and Bairstow are better players of spin than seam so this will be a far stronger test than Sri Lanka.  You would feel that Burns and Baistow will be given at least until the English summer, but Jennings is the one who has to deliver now

[shadowlight]

Why is Baristow listed as wicket keeper on the scorecard on Cricinfo for the warm up game?  Bit harsh on Foakes if Baristow gets the gloves back and he gets dropped.

Edit: Buttler seems to be missing from the score card also 

[SD]

Hopefully a mistake by Cricinfo

[edge]

Expect England to win but could well be an interesting series. Don't expect it'll be easy though - also note we've only won one series there in the past 50 years!!

West Indies shape up ok if lacking in batting, they smashed Bangladesh in their last home series and should be putting out a stronger side than they were then by the looks of things. Gabriel and Roach are a proper international opening pair and Jason Holder averaged a hardly believable 12 in 2018. Alzarri Joseph/Oshane Thomas/Jomel Warrican for the last place presumeably - young and promising vs young and rrrrrapid vs span the Lions out last winter. Darren Bravo coming back is very handy given their top 3 lately. Brathwaite, Campbell, Bravo, Hope, Hetmyer, Chase, Dowrich, Holder, Roach, Warrican, Gabriel is a respectable XI even if unlikely to strike fear into an opposition.

Sounds like there might be a bit more in the pitches than usual which wouldn't be surprising given the strengths of the Windies side. Fancy them to give us a fright and knock us over cheaply at least once, but not put up enough runs to really threaten.
England predictions... I reckon Burns will get a few, Jennings and Bairstow not many. Root to bat really nicely but score no tons, Buttler to dig us out of a lot of holes. Bowling, who knows who we'll even pick! Hope Stone gets a game.

[edge]

Edit: Buttler seems to be missing from the score card also 

Buttler's being rested.

[stevat]

I would say both Jennings and Bairstow are better players of spin than seam so this will be a far stronger test than Sri Lanka.  You would feel that Burns and Baistow will be given at least until the English summer, but Jennings is the one who has to deliver now

Jennings played well in Sri Lanka and Burns is new and should be given a chance, would expect to see them both in the summer regardless of their tour of the West Indies.

[stevat]

Expect England to win but could well be an interesting series. Don't expect it'll be easy though - also note we've only won one series there in the past 50 years!!

West Indies shape up ok if lacking in batting, they smashed Bangladesh in their last home series and should be putting out a stronger side than they were then by the looks of things. Gabriel and Roach are a proper international opening pair and Jason Holder averaged a hardly believable 12 in 2018. Alzarri Joseph/Oshane Thomas/Jomel Warrican for the last place presumeably - young and promising vs young and rrrrrapid vs span the Lions out last winter. Darren Bravo coming back is very handy given their top 3 lately. Brathwaite, Campbell, Bravo, Hope, Hetmyer, Chase, Dowrich, Holder, Roach, Warrican, Gabriel is a respectable XI even if unlikely to strike fear into an opposition.

Sounds like there might be a bit more in the pitches than usual which wouldn't be surprising given the strengths of the Windies side. Fancy them to give us a fright and knock us over cheaply at least once, but not put up enough runs to really threaten.
England predictions... I reckon Burns will get a few, Jennings and Bairstow not many. Root to bat really nicely but score no tons, Buttler to dig us out of a lot of holes. Bowling, who knows who we'll even pick! Hope Stone gets a game.

I like their attack and it's good to see some genuine pace in there, especially on those pitches (assuming they get to play on at least one quick track).  Test cricket needs the West Indies - as evidenced by a tour a few years ago, to the wife 'Fancy going to see the cricket with me?' "Not a chance" 'It's in Barbados' "Be packed in 10 mins".

[rickjames]

I'm just glad that ratboy Colin Graves has kept his mouth shut compared to the last test tour

[SD]

Jennings played well in Sri Lanka and Burns is new and should be given a chance, would expect to see them both in the summer regardless of their tour of the West Indies.

Jennings averaged over 40 on both his overseas tours - India and Sri Lanka - and I can't see many doubting his ability against spin.  The problem is that he has a truly wretched record at home where he is facing seam bowling the majority of the time.  I think if he struggles in this series, it will be hard to justify giving him the openers slot for the Ashes

[Seniorplayer]

Jennings averaged over 40 on both his overseas tours - India and Sri Lanka - and I can't see many doubting his ability against spin.  The problem is that he has a truly wretched record at home where he is facing seam bowling the majority of the time.  I think if he struggles in this series, it will be hard to justify giving him the openers slot for the Ashes

Agree but it's the  pitch up ball  moving late  in or out that gets him out which is less likely in the windies