Oh yeah definitely. The last India tour too, even if we didn't win. Always felt that this series was a priority over the WC.Lot to be said for prep. That A tour had blokes over there for ages and the fast bowlers said in an interview they’ve been planning for it for about 12 months
Not watching that game obviously, but I suspect the conditions are a fair bit trickier in Leeds.To truly put England's comedic humiliation in perspective: "Over in Antigua, Ishant Sharma has faced 59 balls against West Indies - 10 more than any of England's batsmen managed in their first innings"
Coaching ability doesn't matter much as long as the team likes the bloke, I guess. No one rates or likes Shastri, but we've had good results under him.It's kind of curious, tbh. Langer infuriates me and Paine is neither a Test standard batsman, not that good a keeper and not a good tactical captain either, and yet for the first time since 2001 we actually feel like we're playing with a general approach and gameplan that's actually suited to English conditions. So they probably deserve huge credit for that.
Perhaps, but not necessarily easy conditions in Antigua either with Kemar Roach, Gabriel and Holder bowling at you with a Dukes ball.Not watching that game obviously, but I suspect the conditions are a fair bit trickier in Leeds.
Labuschagne has been so much better than every other batsman in this match.
It maybe does look as if actually playing FC cricket is the best preparation for tests! Madness, but there it is.Marnus has been playing county cricket for months now and it shows.