BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Interim batting coach Floyd Reifer believes once West Indies’ batsmen can produce consistently, the Caribbean side can successfully defend the coveted Wisden Trophy and win their first series in England in 32 years.
Pointing to the likes of Jason Holder, experienced seamer Kemar Roach and speedster Shannon Gabriel, Reifer said the tourists had the core of a strong bowling attack and once the Windies batsmen could post challenging totals, England could be placed under pressure.
And while the Caribbean side pulled off an astonishing victory at Leeds in the last tour of England three years ago, they lost the two others Tests inside three days to concede the series.
Reifer stressed that while he expected pitches to be good for batting, seam-friendly conditions were always present in England, and the touring side’s batsmen needed to make the necessary adjustments.
West Indies left the Caribbean on Monday for the series and will undergo two weeks of quarantine at Old Trafford while also intensifying preparations for the first Test set to bowl off at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on July 8.
