Powell targets sweep of England

Published on Wednesday 28 January 2009 22:41

WEST Indies fast bowler Daren Powell has predicted an easy Test series victory over England.

England have not lost to West Indies in a Test series since Michael Atherton's side lost 3-1 in 1998 in the Caribbean and they have beaten West Indies 3-0, 4-0 and 3-0 in their past three series. However, Powell is taking heart from recent signs of resurgence in West Indian fortunes and believes they can turn the tables on the tourists in the series which starts in Jamaica on 4 February.

"I am definitely looking for a 3-0 win over England in the Test series and we are going to beat them also in the one-day series," said Powell. "They made some comments about us after our last tour of England – following our success in the one-day series – that they could not wait to return to the Caribbean.

"I am fit and ready to go and I know that my team-mates are anxious to prove that we are good enough to beat them."

Powell, considered lucky to still be in the team with an average of 46.22 for his 79 Test wickets, said that a drawn two-match series in New Zealand in December showed progress was being made.

"Unity was responsible for the team's success in New Zealand," he said. "The guys are working better as a unit and fully understand their roles."

Meanwhile, Andrew Flintoff's absence through injury means all eyes will be on the performance of England's fit bowlers during the first-class fixture against West Indies A.

All-rounder Flintoff will not be risked in England's final warm-up match ahead of the Caribbean Test series, which means reverting to six batsmen and a four-man attack at Warner Park.

But England remain hopeful that, after scan results on his side strain showed 'no major damage', Flintoff will feature in the first Test in Jamaica beginning next Wednesday.

While he is being monitored by the medical staff, however, Ryan Sidebottom will have his own match fitness checked in the middle while James Anderson and Steve Harmison appear to be competing for one Test place.

Flintoff, 31, is crucial to the balance of the side, and the retention of five frontline bowling options. "He is still a little sore but the scan results were good, so hopefully he will be ready for the first Test," said Andy Flower, who is fronting the coaching staff on this trip.

"The most cautious way to go is not to play him for this next match."

Flintoff pulled out of the opening contest of the 11-week tour – the crushing win over a St Kitts & Nevis XI – after hitting just 11 on the first day, complaining of discomfort in his left side. So if he is plunged into the Test series opener next week, he will not have had any serious opportunity to bat or bowl in match conditions for six weeks.

Flower said: "It's not perfect, it's not ideal, but he is (ready], certainly bowling-wise. Ideally we would have liked him to have got a longer hit in the middle but that is not going to be."

Sidebottom, England's current player of the year, will be fast-tracked back into international action if he can get through his first first-class outing in six months.

Stuart Broad will sit out the warm-up match, but is still in contention for a Test place, while

Owais Shah will get a chance to further pressurise Ian Bell for the number three position, after recovering from a scratched cornea.

England team (to play West Indies A): AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, IR Bell, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, OA Shah, MJ Prior (wicketkeeper), GP Swann, RJ Sidebottom, JM Anderson, SJ Harmison.