West Indies play it safe in search for series win

The respective team selections of West Indies and England for the 5th test at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad belies the priorities in the final match in this series.

Looking to avoid defeat and protect their 1-0 lead, West Indies selected just three front-line bowlers and seven batsmen, with Lendl Simmons making his debut.  In contrast, England left 4th test centurion Ravi Bopara, along with Tim Ambrose, out of the side and selected five bowlers.  Kent fast bowler Amjad Khan makes his debut in place of Ryan Sidebottom, and Matt Prior and Monty Panesar return to the side.

The negative approach adopted by West Indies is no doubt influenced by their recent “difficulties” at test level and the relative strength of the team, recent improvement aside.  Whether this approach will reap benefit remains to be seen, but by selecting a side so obviously designed to play for a draw they have handed the initiative to England from the start.