Tough assignments face two strugglers

Match facts

Wednesday February 4 - Sunday February 8 Start time 10.00am (15.00GMT)

Big Picture

A series in the Caribbean conjures up so many images; boundaries and bouncers, rum and reggae, sun and sand. Some of those are more relevant to the next five weeks than others. West Indies and England begin this series with very different objectives. The home side need to halt their downward spiral and help rejuvenate the game in a part of the world that has given the sport so much, while the visitors are building towards their ultimate challenge - the Ashes. It's difficult to know which is the tougher assignment.
England start under (another) new captain after Andrew Strauss's rapid succession in place of Kevin Pietersen, and with a number of question marks over the team. However, they are still expected - despite a mediocre Test record in recent years - to dominate West Indies and retain the Wisden Trophy for the fourth successive series.
The home side, though, have different ideas and bullish remarks have been coming for players, management and senior WICB figures. Yet, perhaps the strongest pre-series statement came from Lendl Simmons, who made 282 for West Indies A last week. He isn't in the Test squad, but his time can't be far away. Talent isn't dead in West Indies, it is just taking a little longer to find and nurture.
Form guide (most recent first)

West Indies DDLDL

England DLWLL

Watch out for…

Kevin Pietersen and his return to the ranks. The early signs have been very promising with runs in both warm-up matches and a clear desire to prove he is fully committed to the cause. The captaincy didn't appear to subdue his batting, but now that he has just one job to focus on the very best of Pietersen could be back on display. And before the third day's play he could become the most expensive player on the planet during the IPL auction. Life isn't that bad after all.

Stuart Broad has looked every inch an international player in nearly everything he has done. The one statistic, though, that needs improve in his Test strike-rate; 26 wickets in 10 Tests is not a disgrace, but he needs a big haul to kick-start his career with the red ball. Five years ago Steve Harmison excelled in this corresponding series, now is Broad's time to step forward.

Jerome Taylor was 18 when he made his Test debut and is now developing into an impressive player. A maiden century against New Zealand showed he can become a classy No. 8, but it's with the ball that he holds a key. A skiddy paceman rather than the tall variety West Indies have previously been so famous for, he can swing the ball both ways and hit 90mph.

Away from the players, the TV referral system is again being used in this series and it's the first time England will have encountered it. West Indies had their first taste in New Zealand recently and since then the system has been tweaked with teams now allowed two unsuccessful referrals per innings rather than three.

Team news

Strauss will wait until the toss to name his first team as full-time captain, but the side was taking shape over the two matches in St Kitts. As always, all eyes are on the fitness of Andrew Flintoff who has been worked hard in recent days to get over his side strain. The vibes from the England camp have been positive and the signs are he will take his place, but there hasn't been enough time to erase all doubts. Elsewhere, Ian Bell will cling onto his No. 3 spot, while Monty Panesar will probably edge out Graeme Swann, if only because he didn't played against West Indies A on a featherbed. Ryan Sidebottom has been talked up by captain and coach and Harmison found his rhythm in the final warm-up game, so James Anderson is shaping as the unlucky quick.

England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Ian Bell, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Ryan Sidebottom, 10, Steve Harmison, 11 Monty Panesar

The West Indies selectors may have been wondering about their decision to announce the Test squad early when Lendl Simmons batted for two days, especially now that Dale Richards, the 32-year-old opener, is a doubt with a foot injury. If he doesn't make it, Devon Smith will slot in alongside Chris Gayle while Xavier Marshall, who is on borrowed time after a poor tour of New Zealand, will retain his place at No.4. Four quicks or a spinner? It never used to be a question, but the changing nature of the pitches opens the door for Amit Jaggernauth to win a second cap.

West Indies (probable) 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Devon Smith, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Xavier Marshall, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Brendan Nash, 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Jerome Taylor, 9 Daren Powell, 10 Amit Jaggernauth, 11 Fidel Edwards

Pitch & conditions

Traditionally one of the fastest pitches in the Caribbean, but like most surfaces in the region it has lost some of its venom in recent years - probably as a result of the abandoned match between these two sides in 1998 which ended after 10.3 overs. Gone are the days of the famous sheen on the surface where batsmen could almost see their reflection, and there is a suggestion it won't have much pace.

• Stats & Trivia
  The head-to-head record at Sabina Park stands at 5-3 in West Indies' favour
  Harmison claimed 7 for 12 in 2004 as West Indies were bowled out for 47, the best figures in Tests on this ground
  Last year, West Indies reduced Australia to 18 for 5 in their second innings but the visitors still won the match.

Quotes

They have all been excellent so far and I can't praise them highly enough,
especially KP. They have all got behind me and believe what I'm trying to do is
a good way to go.

Andrew Strauss says there have been no problems with the former captains in the team.