West Indies v England Test series predictions: Hosts should be competitive

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for the Test series between West Indies and England which starts on Tuesday in Antigua.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 2pm Tuesday

Best bets

West Indies draw no bet
2pts 6-4 Betfair

Series preview

England's Test team seems to be stuck in an endless rebuilding cycle and their latest iteration can expect a tough three-match series in the West Indies.

Following a dismal 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia, another new era begins with Paul Collingwood as interim coach, Joe Root batting at number three, Ben Foakes recalled to keep wicket and, most strikingly, no James Anderson or Stuart Broad.

The veteran bowlers, who have taken a combined 1,177 Test wickets, were left out of the Caribbean tour party as England prepare for life after their record-breaking seamers.

The days when England would simply pick their best available 11 for every Test match are long gone but last year's results raised questions over the selection strategy.

Bubble fatigue, injuries and a gruelling schedule mean they have used 26 players since the start of 2021 so perhaps it is understandable that they look a disjointed unit.

They started last year with a 2-0 series win in Sri Lanka and a shock victory over India in Chennai before losing ten, drawing three and winning just one of their 14 subsequent matches against India, New Zealand and Australia.

Recent series against the West Indies have been more competitive than bookmakers anticipated with 2-1 home wins for England in 2017 and 2020 either side of a 2-1 victory for the Windies in 2019.

The home side's two Test wins in that series came in Antigua and Barbados, venues for the first two matches of this contest, and the Windies should relish another crack at Root's tourists.

Kemar Roach, Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph, three of the fast bowlers who combined to bowl England out for 77 at the Kensington Oval three years ago, are joined by exciting youngster Jayden Seales, who took eight wickets in August's thrilling one-wicket win over Pakistan.

The West Indian batting unit, like England's, is inconsistent and they needed an unbeaten 30 from tailender Roach to get them to a target of 168 in that victory against Pakistan.

However, the hosts bat deep as Joseph has scored a couple of 80s in the past two years batting at number eight – the same position from which former skipper Holder made a stunning 202 not out in the 2019 Barbados win against England.

England's star man Ben Stokes should be sharper after his lean Ashes tour but the Windies are not to be underestimated at home and are worth backing with stakes returned if the series is drawn.

Series schedule

March 8-12 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

March 16-20 Kensington Oval, Barbados

March 24-28 National Cricket Stadium, Grenada

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