T4 Preview: England Have It All To Do Against WI

It must have been highly frustrating for England to have missed out on a victory by a single wicket at the ARG (Antigua Recreation Ground). West Indies though worked hard for that reprieve. Now as the fourth Test is upon them, West Indies are still pretty on a 1-0 lead while England have it all to do.
England have not had much going for them. The number of injuries alone suggest that sneaking in a Test victory, let alone a series victory for the Wisden Trophy. Andrew Flintoff has once again become a liability, his hip injury in the previous Test now giving him the dubious record of having missed as many Tests as he has played – twenty-one to be precise. Wicket keeper batsman Matt Prior has left the tour to be with his wife who gave birth to their son, leaving Tim Ambrose clearly the man to take his spot.
The bowling concerns have not left England either. Ryan Sidebottom keeps risking his Achilles Heel while Steve Harmison does not have a really serious back problem as he does suffering from an indifferent bowling spell. Graeme Swann, who has now effectively relegated Monty Panesar as England’s premier spinner, is suffering from a recurring elbow injury where the only way to cure and remove the bone fragments is by way of a surgery. Swann is undergoing intensive physiotherapy to get himself fit, but the fact that it could flare up at any time is like a ticking time tomb for England’s chances.
Skipper Andrew Strauss can garner some sympathy. He has a reluctant assistance coach is the position of an interim head coach (Andy Flower), potential IPL distractions that would have caused some reservations in an already tense England dressing room, an upset former captain Kevin Pietersen and an out of form Ian Bell who could get a look in again (after Owais Shah replaced him in the last Test) if Ravi Bopara does not win the skipper’s approval for Flintoff’s spot.
The headaches are aplenty for Strauss. The stress understandable. If West Indies can get past their hiccups in the last Test which they managed to save after plenty of heroics late in the day, this could be a memorable series for the hosts in a long time to come!

Eng-WI T3: WI Manage to Wipe Smile from Strauss’ Face

KP Lashes Out At ‘Sleazebag’ Stanford

Andrew Flintoff: Clear and Present IPL Danger

Eng, WI Test 3: Strauss, Collingwood Centuries Put England on TOP

Eng-WI Test 2: Start, Stop, Restart - The Pictures

Eng-WI Test 2: Start, Stop, Restart - The Story

Boycott Dishes Scathing Criticism of England’s Woes

RCB Policy; Two Captains for one IPL team?

IPL Auctions: Mallya’s Mistake or Mindset- KP for Captain?

Fletcher Calls for Changes, Doubts Camaraderie

Mallya Eyes Honda; Not New Team for RCB

Ray Jennings starts his job with a disciplinary whip