Windies can beat England today

The West Indies cricket team are a positive lot training very hard as they prepare to bounce back in the Cable and Wireless One-Day International series this weekend. Captain of the team, Brian Lara said he has spoken to the team telling them that they can beat the visiting Englishmen and win the seven-match series. “They had a pretty good match in Guyana where they lost it at the final stage and what I have been telling the guys is that they are capable of beating England once they play positive cricket,” Lara said.

The left-handed batting genius is expected to play this weekend but would not be rushed back. “It is not just a matter of playing before the home crowd. There is a lot of cricket ahead and the injury needs time to heal. The only way I will rush back is if we are down in the series,” he said. Lara has been training with the rest of the team. He is expected to take his first knock since regaining his world record last week in back-to-back matches at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain. The West Indies lost the opening match in Guyana by two wickets — giving away 21 runs in the final two overs and will be looking to start the fightback at the Oval. Lara who regained his world record with a masterly 400 not out in the final Test will be keen to lead a revival.

England meanwhile are very confident of extending their lead in the series. They are expected to make one change this weekend with the inclusion of last year’s “golden boy” James Anderson. It’s been a frustrating tour for Anderson who is yet to play an international match. “Once you’re out of the team on these short tours it’s very hard to prove you’re in form to get back into the side. You’re always looking for a chance to prove yourself, so hopefully I will get a chance during the remainder of the series. It’s been a very long trip,” Anderson said on Thursday. ‘But that’s the way it goes sometimes. You do get bored and frustrated as well, but you can’t show that you’re down because it will affect the other players — you have to stay happy and jolly around the side and try to get them up. It’s just a question of working hard, training hard and waiting for your chance.” The English are expected to give a rest to either Steve Harmison or Andrew Flintoff who played throughout the tour. England skipper Justin Vaughn had an extended session with the bat and will be hoping to continue where he left off in the final Test when he got 140 runs.