Stuart Broad and James Anderson won’t be fazed by empty grounds – Roddy Estwick
West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick believes Stuart Broad and James Anderson will be as dangerous as ever even without England’s home support.
The tourists are in the UK ahead of their three Test series, which will be held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The first Test begins in Southampton on July 8 before two more take place at Old Trafford, starting on July 16 and 24 July.
Another session on the books! Who else is ready for some Test cricket? | 1st Test 8th July #ENGvWI #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/XnNotYGyYp
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 13, 2020
Estwick said: “We can’t nullify the crowd because it’s not there. The 12th man isn’t going to be there (for England) but I don’t think experienced bowlers like Broad and Anderson will be too fazed by the crowd not being there.
“It’s your profession and you deal with what is in front of you. You have to represent your country with pride.
“It’s a different situation but we’ve spent a bit more time as a group together. We have been well looked after, the spirit has been very good.
“We’ve got no complaints with the way things have gone so far. The excuses stop now and we have got to be ready.
“I don’t think motivation is a problem. Getting them up to speed is the most difficult. We were in lockdown for two months but in the last two weeks in Barbados we were able to get some work done. The weather has been kind here to us too.
“You need to go and get some match fitness. Once we can get them match hardened we should be fine.”
Latest
-
EnglandHolding and Rainford-Brent outline how racism impacted them as players
Rainford-Brent played 22 ODIs for England as well as seven T20Is…
-
EnglandBen Stokes intends to do it his own way in first match as England Test captain
Stokes will cover regular captain Joe Root, who misses the first Test as he attends the birth of his second child.
-
EnglandJason Holder hints senior players can help make captaincy easier for Ben Stokes
Holder has led the West Indies for nearly five years.
-
UKTom Harrison urges ECB to take lead on improving inclusivity in cricket
Last month, Vikram Solanki took the reins at Surrey to become the only head coach among the 18 first-class counties from a diverse background.
-
UKTom Harrison admits BLM movement forces cricket to face ‘uncomfortable truths’
A game-wide anti-discrimination charter and code will be introduced.
-
EnglandJoe Root tells Ben Stokes to ‘do it your way’ ahead of England captaincy bow
Stokes will be skipper for the first Test against the West Indies, and Root took the time to write a short note to his stand-in.
-
UKDelayed county season set to involve both red and white-ball cricket
A majority vote was reached at a meeting of first-class counties chairmen on Tuesday.
-
UKStand-in captain Ben Stokes confirms BLM ‘gesture’ from England before Test
The Durham man tiptoed around ICC rules on overt political statements but made clear the occasion would not go unmarked by England.
-
UK5 memorable Test matches between England and the West Indies
Contests between the two sides have seen a number of record-breaking performances.
-
EnglandExclusive – Phil Tufnell on why cricket has a chance to capture a new audience
The former England spinner insists Test cricket can survive a summer without crowds.