Spotlight on youngsters as England, WI lock horns (Preview)

After a hectic but highly successful summer that saw them rise to top of ICC test rankings and whitewash India in all three formats, England players would have thought of much needed break from the game to recharge their batteries for upcoming tour of sub-continent. Thanks to the contractual obligations of English Cricket Board or ECB, players find themselves readying for two match twenty-20 series against West Indies.

Most of the squad selected for these fixtures won’t be complaining one bit for it gives them an ideal opportunity to stake their claim for certain spots falling vacant due to injuries to the regulars. England selectors have rest some top guns and opted a new breed of players for these encounters to test bench strength and unearth a couple of players who can well make it to the touring party to India later this year.

In regular skipper Stuart Broad’ absence, Graeme Swann has been given the reigns and the off-spinner would be upbeat to do well to make a good impression in his maiden assignment as England captain.

It is in the batting department intense competition should be expected in the ranks with army of young talented batsmen given chance to prove their mettle. Ben Stokes, Jonathan Bairstow and Jos Butler will be vying for a spot in England limited overs’ team and for that they will have to edge out each other with some telling performance. Bairstow did his chances no harm in ODI debut playing a match winning whirlwind knock to help his side out of woods. He would be keen to repeat the performance and others too wouldn’t miss out. Craig Kieswetter and Alex Hales would want to make opening slots their own in this format and for that to happen the duo will have keep coming with solid stands at the top regularly.

The return of test match’s spearhead of James Anderson to the t-20 fold should force spotlight on champion bowler’s performance. Samit Patel would like to enhance his reputation to claim to second best spinner in England after Swann.

On other side, Darren Sammy’s West Indies side has got altogether a new look. With most of the first choice cricketers playing their trade in ongoing champions league and some having differences with the West Indies Cricket Board, the series has given a chance for new crop of Caribbean players to bring home the glory. The young lot will be desperate to make a name for themselves and perform well against the quality side. All eyes will be on dashing all-rounder Dwayne Smith who makes return to the national team after a gap of almost two years.

Sammy has come under a lot of flak for his place in the side. It is high time for him to bury that debate and lead from the front with both bat and ball. One player that should attract the attention is big strappy all-rounder Andre Russell who was a sensational package in both the departments against India in the limited overs’ cricket. Another replica of such performances should hold him good stead for a county contract next year.

All said and done, England in home conditions will start as favourites but the tourists will be pinning their hopes on some individuals to derail their opponents remarkable march towards glory.

England Squad: Graeme Swann (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Scott Borthwick, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter, Samit Patel, Ben Stokes.

West Indies Squad: Darren Sammy (c), Christopher Barnwell, Miles Bascombe, Devendra Bishoo, Nkruma Bonner, Johnson Charles, Derwin Christian (wk), Fidel Edwards, Danza Hyatt, Garey Mathurin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Dwayne Smith.