England in West Indies, 2008/09West Indies v England 1st ODI at Providence, March 20, 200919-Mar-2009 21:21:00 IST
Providence (Guyana): The visitors are hoping that skipper Strauss recovers from a hamstring problem he sustained during the Twenty20 International on Sunday in Trinidad. England seeking first win in West Indies tour.
England will be keen for Strauss to prove his fitness not only to lead the side, but to add greater substance to their batting.
Strauss himself will be eager to take his rightful place in the side to mark his return to this form of the game for the first time in two years.
Paul Collingwood has been placed on standby and will lead the side should Strauss be unfit to do so.
Collingwood resigned from post of England ODI captain last August, on the same day Michael Vaughan relinquished the Test role, to concentrate on his batting, after leading the side to 10 wins in 24 ODIs.
The West Indies too, have had concerns about their captain, but Chris Gayle has recovered from the strained right hamstring he sustained in the final Test in Trinidad and was named in the 13-member squad.
Gayle was sidelined for Sunday's Twenty20 International which the West Indies won by six wickets at Queen's Park Oval.
Match facts
Friday March 20, 2009
Start time 9.30am (13.30 GMT)
Highlights of the match
|
West Indies |
England |
| Captain |
Chris Gayle |
Andrew Strauss |
| ICC Ranking |
8 |
6 |
| Key Players |
Gayle, Sarwan, Edwards, Taylor |
Bopara, Pietersen, Anderson, Broad |
| Stats & Trivia |
West Indies have played one ODI at Providence, against Sri Lanka, when they were beaten by 113 runs. |
Another format and another chance for England to register their first international win of the winter. |
| Weather |
As ever on the South American mainland the weather will play a part with a chance of rain pretty much at any time. |
| Pitch |
The Providence Stadium in Guyana has replicated the slow, low pitches of the old Bourda ground so the quick bowlers shouldn't expect too much encouragement. |
| Current Form |
NWLNL |
LLLLL (Recent last) |
| Head to head |
Total 75, West Indies 39, England 32, NR 4 |
