Shane Dowrich would not swap any of West Indies pace attack for Jofra Archer

England

Shane Dowrich has insisted the West Indies would not trade any of their star seam attack for England pace ace Jofra Archer.

Wicketkeeper Dowrich hailed his fellow Bajan and England quick Archer as an “amazing talent”, but maintained that the West Indies are more than happy with their bowling line-up.

Barbados-born Archer’s path from West Indies Under-19s omission to England glory is well documented, but Dowrich believes the tourists are happy to take on their compatriot.

England and West Indies Nets Session – Day One – Lords
Shane Dowrich, pictured, is aiming to be in the runs when the West Indies face England next month (Adam Davy/PA)

“I know Jofra pretty well, he’s an amazing talent and I wish him well going into this series,” said Dowrich.

“But at the end of the day when we cross that line, it’s the West Indies against England.”

Asked if he would rather have Archer in the West Indies line-up than face him, Dowrich replied: “No. I think he’s made his decision in terms of where his career is going to go, and I wish him all the best, as I said.

“But at the end of the day we have a wonderful bowling line-up and I’m happy with the team that take the field with me.”

England’s three-Test series against the West Indies will start at Southampton on July 8, with the matches held behind closed doors given the continued fallout from the coronavirus.

Dowrich believes the tourists’ pace options of Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder can cause England a host of problems.

“If you look at the main four in Shannon, Kemar, Jason and Alzarri, they all present different skills,” said Dowrich.

West Indies v New Zealand – ICC Cricket World Cup – Warm Up – Bristol County Ground
Kemar Roach, pictured, has been tipped to be on form for the West Indies (Mark Kerton/PA)

“Kemar is probably the most skilful of all them in terms of being able to get a consistent line and length, and moving the ball both ways.

“Shannon and Alzarri have a little more pace, and Jason is Mr Consistent; he can put the ball on a 10-pence piece.

“So I think we bring the whole dynamic, and then obviously you have young Chemar Holder coming up, who is an exciting talent and the way he bowled in first-class cricket this season shows that.

“So I think we have a well-versed attack and I look forward to seeing them bowl in this series.”

Dowrich admitted to finding himself out of his depth the last time he was in England with the West Indies.

Three years on however, he expects to make a big impact, especially with the bat.

“I would love to score a Test hundred in England, it’s always a challenge but I think if you’re going to rate yourself as a player you have to be able to do it,” he said.

West Indies Cricket Team Arrive For England Test Series
Shane Dowrich, pictured, arrives in Manchester for the West Indies’ rearranged tour (England and Wales Cricket Board)

“And I think I’ve been putting in enough work to actually come up with something in this series.

“The last time I was here was very tough for me, but it was a series that really changed around my career.

“I was young, in unfamiliar territory and I really didn’t cope very well with it to be honest.

“But since then I’ve been able to go away, and I’ve learned a lot from my experience of here last time.

“And I consider myself a different player to what I was three years ago.

“Obviously it’s still going to be a challenge playing in England batting will always be a challenge, but I think I’m ready and up for that.”

Jofra Archer Shane Dowrich

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